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Sharktracker exhibit open at Mote Aquarium
Article published on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2006 |
SARASOTA - The all-new, interactive SHARKTRACKER exhibit is now open at Mote Aquarium.
At SHARKTRACKER, visitors take on the role of Mote Marine Laboratory scientists to learn how researchers track sharks in the wild using high-tech acoustic equipment including underwater hydrophones, or listening stations. Two touch-screen kiosks allow visitors to follow juvenile blacktip sharks in Terra Ceia Bay as the fish move through the nursery area and attempt to overcome challenges in their environment.
A new 15,000-gallon habitat features bonnethead sharks, a new species to Mote Aquarium that is a cousin of the great hammerhead shark. Recent research in Pine Island Sound, Charlotte Harbor used this same acoustic system to track bonnethead shark movements in that area.
The exhibit highlights the work of Mote shark researcher, Dr. Michelle Heupel, Manager of the Elasmobranch Behavioral Ecology Program in Mote's Center for Shark Research.
Another exhibit featuring current Mote Marine Laboratory research is the expanded Mysterious Convice Fish exhibit scheduled to open late this summer. The renovated exhibit highlights the research being conducted by Mote Marine Laboratory's founding director, Dr. Eugenie Clark. Dr. Clark, known worldwide as the "Shark Lady" for her groundbreaking shark research, is researching the convict fish and its many surprising behaviors.
Visitors will be able to sneak a peek into the secretive lives of these fish that spend all of their adult lives living in coral tunnels. Live video from within the tunnels will be featured on two monitors so Aquarium guests can view them in their homes.
Mote Aquarium is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 365 days a year. Ticket prices are $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 4-12. Admission for children age 3 and younger is free. Mote Aquarium is at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. Call 941-388-4441 or visit www.mote.org.
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Article published on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2006
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