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Scuba diving at the aquarium is back!
We know it's been a long wait for your favourite indoor diving experience to re-open, but we're very pleased to announce that scuba diving is once again back at the Two Oceans Aquarium - all skill levels welcome, even if you've never tried to dive before!Do sharks sleep?
Many people believe that sharks can't sleep because they die if they aren't constantly moving. We've already dispelled the myth that sharks can't remain still, but what about sleep?The answer is... maybe. Sharks definitely rest. They definitely "space-out". But, it's not clear if this is actually "sleep”, which is a reduced state of consciousness, or simply periods of reduced physical activity.Shark showcase: spotted gully shark aka. sharptooth houndshark
Spotted gully sharks, also commonly known as sharptooth houndsharks, are small, stereotypically "shark-shaped" sharks with prominent triangular fins and dark grey skin covered in dark spots. They inhabit shallow coastal waters from Angola to the Eastern Cape, preferring sandy-bottomed areas, particularly near rocky reefs where they can easily find prey.Celebrating african penguin awareness day – 10 october 2020
On 10 October, African Penguin Awareness Day, the Two Oceans Aquarium’s penguin mascot, Samantha, will be joined by the penguin mascots from Kfm 94.5 (Rocket), and Cape Town Tourism (Themba), in celebrating the day and highlighting the plight of African penguins. The three mascots will have an early morning photo session in the Penguin Exhibit at the Aquarium, whereafter they will watch a Facebook live stream of a SANCCOB penguin release at 10h00. Follow the mascot celebrations on the Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Town Tourism and Kfm 94.5 social media channels.Farewell faraday
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Faraday, one of the original African penguins at the Two Oceans Aquarium.Shark showcase: spotted ragged-tooth shark
When you visit the Two Oceans Aquarium, one species always stands out as a highlight. For many people it is the ragged-tooth sharks of the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Exhibit. These massive sharks are not just an icon of the Aquarium but are one of South Africa's most easily recognisable sea animals. They are also one of the most well-known sharks globally, and for good reason: Ragged-tooth sharks are (j)awesome!It's sharktober at the two oceans aquarium!
It's Sharktober! A whole month in celebration of our favourite toothy friends - sharks! These magnificent animals are often portrayed as vicious hunters, scary stalkers or single-minded predators, but what really makes these misunderstood animals tick? Stick with us on social media and our blog throughout October as we take a #Sharktober dive into answering all your sharkiest questions. How smart are sharks? Can they swim backwards? Are there really 100 kinds of South African shark? Let's find out together!Two oceans aquarium joins forces with the save our seas foundation to protect sharks
The Two Oceans Aquarium is proud to announce that it has joined forces with the international philanthropic organisation the Save Our Seas Foundation to increase awareness about sharks in order to protect and conserve these often misunderstood animals. The Aquarium’s largest exhibit, the former Predator Exhibit, which houses five ragged-tooth sharks as well as other predatory fish species, has been renamed the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Exhibit. The two organisations will collaborate to increase communication efforts about marine conservation and research specifically related to sharks. This partnership also includes the development of Shark Alley, a shark information space behind the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Exhibit, which will highlight charismatic shark species, shark biology, sharks under threat, shark-human relationships, and will provide other learning opportunities about sharks.Little optimist to set sail...on top of the i&j ocean exhibit!
The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation is joining forces with The Little Optimist Trust to raise funds for a number of initiatives, through the sailing of Optimist dinghies. On Sunday 4 October starting at 10h00 three little dinghies will be “sailed” on the Two Oceans Aquarium’s I&J Ocean Exhibit for 24 hours. The dinghies will be captained by Maryke Musson (CEO, Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation), Greg Bertish (Little Optimist Trust founder) and Dr Cleeve Robertson (CEO, NSRI).Shark showcase: Pyjama sharks
Pyjama sharks are small catsharks endemic to the South African coastline, that have received some recent attention thanks to the prominent role they play in Craig Foster of the Sea Change Project's My Octopus Teacher. They may be cute, and they may be the "villains" of everyone's favourite nature documentary, but what are pyjama sharks really all about? Pyjama sharks (Poroderma africanum) are elongated, slender sharks with short whisker-like barbels that give them the name "catshark". They grow to about a metre long and can weigh up to 8 kg (which is a bit longer and heavier than two chonky housecats). Of course, their most notable characteristics are their alternating black and grey stripes that run the length of their bodies, from snout to tail tip.Jerusalema challenge at the two oceans aquarium
At the heart of the Two Oceans Aquarium are our people. You're our family. You're where everything we've accomplished stems from. And, you're forever part of our heritage!We could not imagine a better way of celebrating today than by teaming up with the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation to take up the President's Jerusalema Dance Challenge!Do sharks drown if they stop swimming?
There's a common notion that sharks need to swim continuously or they will drown. This myth has certainly become an overused trope when it comes to motivational quotes, but is there any truth to it? Can a shark actually drown if it stops swimming? Let’s investigate!