Water world: Swim with the sharks (no, not literally) at The Living Planet Aquarium
An education specialist explains sea creatures to visitors to The Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy. Shark Week at the aquarium began July 31, and is just one of the events the aquarium has during the year. Jessica Eyre/Utah Adventurer
A leopard shark at The Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy. Photo courtsy of The Living Planet Aquarium.
This week is Shark Week on the Discovery Channel, an annual television event that focuses on one of the world’s most mysterious creatures. And that event has spilled over into The Living Planet Aquarium. The aquarium, located in Sandy, has a full docket of events going on this week to celebrate sharks, including crafts, scavenger hunts and shark feedings.
The Living Planet Aquarium is home to sharks from eight different species, six of which are housed in a 15,000-gallon tank, including two nurse sharks, two leopard sharks, one white-tip reef shark, one ornate wobbegong, one brown-banded bamboo shark and one white-spotted bamboo shark.
“Our brown-banded bamboo shark was born at an aquarium in Australia over 25 years ago, making it one of the first of its species to be born in captivity,” said Andy Allison, curator of animals.
A smaller shark tank currently holds representative of two additional shark species, including three coral catsharks and two Papuan epaulette sharks, which are some of the smaller sharks in the world. Both species are almost full grown, and are still less than 2 feet long.
On our visit, we checked out the craft table, and oohed and aahed over all the creatures the aquarium has to offer. We stuck around for the feeding of the sting rays, and the kids loved it when they’d flap their way up the side of the open tank to eat the pieces of fish.
Our favorites, though, are the sea turtle, who seemingly waves at window watchers, and the penguins. Their acrobatic show is so fun to watch.
New since our last visit are glow-in-the-dark creatures, like scorpions and geckos.
What moms will love about the aquarium is the set-up. You can give your kids a bit of freedom to move from tank to tank at their own pace, and you’ll be able to see them. Because the aquarium is set up in sections, they can’t get too far.
The Living Planet Aquarium has special events like Shark Week throughout the year. Be sure to visit their website for upcoming events, and a membership will allow you to hit them all.
The Living Planet Aquarium
Shark Week Presentation: 10 a.m. today andSaturday
Shark Feeding: 1:30 p.m. Saturday
Scavenger Hunt: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today andSaturday
Where: 725 E. 10600 South, Sandy
Info: www.thelivingplanet.com or (801) 355-FISH(3474)
Discount: $3 off admission with Facebookcheck-in at www.facebook.com/thelivingplanetaquarium