Why Aren't There Sharks at Sea World?

Sea World, a popular marine park, is known for its stunning exhibits and marine life shows. Many visitors wonder why they don't see sharks here, especially the iconic great white shark and mako shark. This article explores why sharks are not commonly found in these tourist attractions, highlighting the diversity of sharks and the barriers to maintaining them in captivity.

Sharks in Public Aquariums

People often wonder about the presence of sharks in public aquariums. While great whites and makos are the most sought-after species, many aquariums still house a variety of shark species. Common examples include nurse sharks, sand tigers, zebra sharks, and epaulette sharks.

The most frequently seen sharks in public aquariums include:

Nurse Sharks Sand Tiger Sharks Lemon Sharks Horn Sharks Bonnethead Sharks Zebra Sharks Leopard Sharks

With the exception of a few aquariums, there are no great white or mako sharks in captivity. However, some aquariums do maintain whale sharks, which are the largest fish on the planet. For great whites, the cost and difficulty of collection are prohibitive. Additionally, their behavior and natural habitat make them unsuitable for life in a tank.

The Diversity of Sharks

Sharks are an incredibly diverse group of animals. They range in size from small species like zebra sharks, which only grow to a couple of feet in length, to the enormous whale sharks, which can reach lengths of over 40 feet. The largest barrier to seeing more sharks in public aquariums is the challenge of collecting them at a small size without injuring them, and transporting them to the aquarium.

Once in the aquarium, the sharks must adapt to their new environment. Pelagic sharks, which spend most of their time in open waters and require constant movement to survive, pose a particular challenge. Additionally, sharks do not have a bony skeleton and can suffer fatal internal injuries if removed from the water. Collecting a shark is also very expensive, so the attempt must have a reasonable chance of success.

Challenges in Maintaining Sharks in Aquariums

For private aquariums, the vast majority of sharks grow too large for any commercially made aquarium. A few species of cat sharks, such as the epaulette shark, do not exceed three feet and can be kept in large home aquariums. However, most sharks are very difficult to provide the proper care for. Species like the leopard shark and dogfish might stay small enough to be kept in a home aquarium, but they require a chiller to keep the water cold enough.

Another significant challenge is the behavior of great white sharks. Despite numerous attempts to keep them in aquariums, their natural behavior makes it nearly impossible. Great whites are accustomed to the open ocean and can travel from one sea to another. When confined in an aquarium, they often hit themselves against the walls, leading to injuries that can be fatal. The confined spaces also cause great whites a lot of stress, which can negatively impact their health and potentially lead to their death.

The only tank large enough for a great white is the ocean itself. This highlights the complex nature of sharks and their need for their natural habitat.

In conclusion, while some species of sharks can be and are kept in aquariums, the complexities of their natural behavior, habitat requirements, and the challenges of collection and transportation make it difficult to maintain certain species like the great white in captivity.