Celebrate “Shark Awareness Day” With Live Sharks and Interactive Experiences at the Texas State Aquarium
July 13, 2018
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – This Saturday, July 14 is “Shark Awareness Day,” and Discovery Channel’s week of shark-themed programming starts on July 22, making now the perfect time to celebrate the ocean’s most infamous and misunderstood predators. With six species of sharks on display and interactive experiences including the opportunity to touch sharks, track sharks around the globe and pose for pictures inside giant shark jaws, the Texas State Aquarium is the perfect place to take your celebration of sharks to the next level and learn more about these incredible sea creatures.
The Aquarium’s largest and arguably most popular shark species are their nine-foot long sandbar sharks and sand tiger sharks, which prowl the H-E-B Caribbean Sea and Islands of Steel habitats, respectively. From just inches away, guests can get up-close and personal with real-life sharks and even get a hands-on experience with the much smaller species of white-spotted bamboo shark, horn shark, epaulette shark, and Port Jackson shark which reside in a touch pool in the “Saving Sharks” exhibit. “Saving Sharks” also includes a replica shark cage, a life-size great white shark sculpture, and a scale model of the prehistoric Megalodon’s jaws, which are large enough for a grown human to step inside for a picture. An interactive station even lets guests track the location and movements of tagged sharks around the world.
While the fear of sharks is one reason for our fascination with them, the Aquarium hopes their experiences teach guests that sharks aren’t as scary as they may seem, and that these predators play a critical role in the overall health of the ocean. With 100 million sharks killed per year (compared to sharks killing only about 6 people per year), conservationists say many shark species are in danger of dying off. “Shark Awareness Day” serves as an important remindes that sharks need to be protected in order to safeguard the environment. Supporting sustainable seafood, picking up trash when you go to the beach, and recycling are just some of the small ways the public can help sharks every day.
The Texas State Aquarium is open daily. On July 14, Shark Awareness Day, the Aquarium will be open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Parking is included in your admission price. To purchase tickets in advance and skip the line or to learn more about exhibits, hours and other visitor information, visit www.texasstateaquarium.org.