Journey to the “Kuroshio”
We introduce you to the must-see points including Kuroshio Sea Tank, the main attraction of Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and other interesting exhibits like Shark Research Lab.
- Home
- Aquarium Area Guide
- Journey to the “Kuroshio”
- Shark Research Lab (The Sea of Dangerous Sharks)
How dangerous are the sharks?
Shark Research Lab (The Sea of Dangerous Sharks)
Many people think the shark to be an insatiable beast, attacking humans without a moment's notice.
But sharks in fact eat surprisingly very little, and the type of shark that attacks innocent people for no reason is limited to only a very few types. Here we would like to introduce the true life of sharks through a great variety of materials and artifacts, including real specimens.
| Aquarium capacity | 800m³ |
|---|---|
| Species | 6 |
Marine life found in this area
The Extinct Ancient Shark 'Megalodon'
A reconstructed model of the jaw of this extinct 16-meter long shark is now on display. Replica teeth have been fitted so you can feel just how big they were! Photography is permitted in the aquarium, so take a picture of someone next to the shark to get an idea of how huge it was.
Fetal Specimens from a Great White Shark
Great White Shark reproduction takes place by what is known as "egg cannibalism", in which fetuses cannibalize their siblings in utero. Surviving fetuses grow by eating eggs ovulated by the mother in the uterus.
Various other shark specimens and models are on display.
Touch a Shark Skin!
Nineteen different specimens of shark's skin are on display Different species of shark have different skin surfaces. The skin of most shark species has a specific orientation. If you rub the skin from head to tail, it will feel smooth, but if you rub it in the opposite direction, you will feel resistance. Try it and see!
World Record for Long-term Breeding - Three generations of bull shark raised in captivity!
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium has successfully raised three generations of bull shark within the aquarium's tanks. The grandfather shark has achieved a record for longevity in captivity - over thirty years since it arrived in 1978. Every day he remains alive the record gets longer.
Video of the Shark Research Lab (The Sea of Dangerous Sharks)
Download Flash Player
Churaumi Column
First Successful Delivery of a Lemon Shark in Japan!- A lemon shark successfully gave birth within the tanks of Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. As sharks are often eaten by other sharks directly after birth, the baby shark was taken by the breeding staff to a special tank for safety.
Do Sharks' Teeth Fall Out?- Unlike humans, sharks do not have permanent teeth. New teeth grow up periodically from within, and the old ones fall out naturally. If you look closely at the bottom of the dangerous shark tank, you will see some of the teeth that have fallen out strewn around the sand.
*Please note that there are reading mistake.