ON OUR WEB SITE Shark Activities
Shark crafts, activities, critter cards and cool stuff to do.
Activities and Games
Aquarium-related activities including online interactives, games and coloring pages.
Shark Spotting Guide
The aquarium has several shark species on display—from the slender soupfin shark to the abundant leopard shark. See what sharks you can spot during your next visit or on our web site.
EXTERNAL LINKS Enchanted Learning: Sharks
An informative and nicely illustrated site on sharks for kids. Includes brief profiles of several of the better known or more spectacular species and many shark activity sheets for educators, students and families.
Ray Troll: Art and Artist
Fun art and images by Ray Troll. Includes drawings and information about ancient sharks and several of the illustrations from his book "Sharkabet".
ON OUR WEB SITE Online Field Guide
Our online field guide includes sharks and rays. Search for the word "shark," "ray" or "skate."
White Shark Biology
Information on the biology of white sharks, including their adaptations for survival.
EXTERNAL LINKS Ancient Sharks
Visit Discovery Channel's prehistoric shark gallery for illustrations, animations and fossils of ancient sharks.
Center for Shark Research, Mote Marine Laboratory, Florida
The Center for Shark Research is an international center for laboratory and field research, education, and public information on sharks and their relatives, the skates and rays. Their web site is a great resource for shark information.
ReefQuest Centre for Shark Research
ReefQuest is dedicated to shark and ray conservation through its scientific research and public education programs. Their web site offers extensive shark information as a resource for educators and students.
World of Sharks
This NOVA/PBS web site has excellent descriptions of the 30 families of sharks, with an accompanying photo of a representative species. Also has an interactive to learn about shark anatomy.
We do not currently have an online store or merchandise catalog, but you can order any of these books by contacting our Gift & Bookstore Customer Service Department by phone (877-665-2665 Toll Free in the U.S.) or by email.
Sharks: Myth and Mystery CD
Douglas Morton (2004)
In music inspired by the Monterey Bay Aquarium's special exhibit, Douglas Morton celebrates the hypnotic majesty of the shark and the awesome power of the ocean upon which we all depend. CD, $14.95 (SKU 82309)
Great White Shark
Richard Ellis and John E. McCosker (285 pages, Stanford University Press, 1995)
Magnificently illustrated, this book is the first complete, definitive account for general readers of that rare and remarkable animal, a great admirable predator. Paperback, $35.95 (SKU 42089)
Punia and the King of Sharks: A Hawaiian Folktale
Lee Wardlaw and Felipe Davalos (32 pages, Dial Books for Young Readers, 1997)
A beautifully illustrated adaptation of a Hawaiian folktale in which a clever young boy outwits the treacherous King of Sharks. Ages 4-8. Hardcover, $16.99 (SKU 81459)
Sharkabet: A Sea of Sharks from A to Z
Ray Troll (40 pages, WestWinds Press, 2001)
An alphabetical look at the world of living and prehistoric sharks, for kids of all ages (officially ages 5-9), in Ray Troll's famously quirky and fun aquatic style! Hardcover, $16.95 (SKU 72888)/Paperback, $8.95 (SKU 72905)
Sharks and Rays of the Pacific Coast
Ava Ferguson and Gregor Cailliet (64 pages, Monterey Bay Aquarium Press, 1990)
An Aquarium publication, this book explores these elusive fishes, how they live and why they behave as they do. Paperback, $9.95 (SKU 14745)
Sharks, Rays, and Chimaeras of California
Dave Ebert and Mat Squillante (297 pages, University of California Press, 2003)
This finely illustrated guide is the only complete reference to the sharks, rays and chimaeras found in California's waters—from the intertidal zone to 500 miles offshore. Paperback, $19.95 (SKU 61654)
The Shark God
Rafe Martin and David Shannon (32 pages, Arthur A. Levine, 2001)
A mythic Hawaiian tale of justice and compassion. Two children are unfairly condemned by a hardhearted king, yet saved by their friend Kauhuhu, the powerful, shape-changing Shark God. Ages 4-8. Hardcover, $15.95 (SKU 73010)
Why I Care About Sharks
Lisa Cook and Joel Simonetti (64 pages, Big Fish Press, 2003)
This product of the Marine Conservation Biology Institute's Shark Finning and Live Reef Fish Education Project shows how people and sharks are connected, and brings their relationship to life for both children and adults. Hardcover, $16.95 (SKU 75118)
Saving Sharks: What You Can Do to Help
Your consumer choices are the key to a future where healthy oceans are rich with sharks and other wildlife. Find out more about the threats to the survival of sharks and what you can do to help.
White Shark Conservation
Read about our research efforts to better understand the life history of these threatened and fascinating ocean predators.
EXTERNAL LINKS Rainforest Action Network
The Rainforest Action Network works to protect tropical rainforests and the human rights of those living in and around those forests. Their web site includes information about their campaigns and educational resources, fact sheets and classroom activities.
TRAFFIC, Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network
Traffic works to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature. Sharks are one of their priority species.
ON OUR WEB SITE Amazon: Story of Mother Stingray
Listen to the story of the supernatural spirit Mother Stingray, who fiercely defends creatures that dwell in the Amazon River.
Australia: Bark Paintings Reveal Creation Myths
For thousands of years, the Aboriginal people of Australia have been painting on bark to tell their stories. Learn more about Australian bark art, including how bark paintings are made.
Central America: Textiles (called molas) tell Stories of Shark Spirits
The people of Kuna Yala create colorful textiles that tell stories of guardian shark spirits who protect fishermen, and dangerous shark spirits who inspire fear and respect. View shark and ray molas and read about the stories they tell.
Pacific Islands: Story of the Shark God Kamohoali'i
For generations, native Hawaiians have celebrated the spirit of Pele, a fiery goddess who brought volcanoes to the Hawaiian Islands. She sailed to her island home in a magical canoe piloted by her brother Kamohoali'i, the shark god. Read the story online.
Pacific Northwest: See a Shark Dancer and Hear His Story
Families in the Pacific Northwest dance and sing to honor supernatural sharks who spoke with their ancestors. Listen to Robert Davidson describe the meaning of these dances and watch a shark dancer.
EXTERNAL LINKS Australia: "Native Born" Online Exhibition by the Asia Society of New York
Native Born is an exhibition of paintings and sculptures by distinguished Australian Aboriginal artists from Ramingining, Arnhem Land in northern Australia. Each painting and sculpture illuminates the specific cultural relationship between the Aboriginal people and the land.
Australia: Yolgnu Culture
The East Arnhem Land Tourist Association in Australia had a nice description of the Yolgnu culture.
Pacific Islands: "The Shark-man of Waipio Valley"
A shark legend from Hawaiian Legends of Ghosts and Ghost-Gods, collected and translated from the Hawaiian by W. D. Westervelt, Boston, Ellis Press, 1916.
Pacific Northwest: Respect to Bill Reid Totem Pole Project
This web site from the University of British Columbia Anthropology Museum describes a project to create a totem pole to honor Haida artist Bill Reid. The site includes many photos and videos of how totem poles are made, audio clips of Haida songs, and links to additional resources.
Pacific Northwest: Haida Spirits of the Sea
An online exhibition by Virtual Museums of Canada about the Haida people, including their art, food and culture and information about the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site.
Pacific Northwest: Present at the Creation: Totem Pole
Robert Smith, as part of National Public Radio's Morning Edition's series, Present at the Creation, reports on how misunderstandings almost destroyed the art of totem poles before they could become American cultural icons.
Western Myths: Watson and the Shark Painting
John Singleton Copley's Watson and the Shark was inspired by an event that took place in Cuba in 1749. The National Gallery of Art gives the background story of this painting, analyzes its composition and features information about the artist.
Circle of Stories
This PBS web site uses documentary film, photography, artwork and music to honor and explore Native American storytelling. Features audio recordings and text of many stories and lesson plans and activities for the classroom.
EXTERNAL LINKS Shark Curriculum for Grades K-8
Free teacher's curriculum for sharks developed by SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. Students explore the natural history of sharks and recognize that humans are an interconnected part of sharks' ecosystems. (PDF format).
Catshark and Freshwater Ray Comparison: Form and Function
The catshark and the freshwater stingray illustrate two typical but very different body plans present in elasmobranch fishes. The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) offers an interactive comparison of their external morphology. Their Resources for Learning web site also has several other lesson plans and activities for sharks.
Ecotourism is not so much about where you travel, but how you travel. In general, ecotourism conserves the local plants and animals and promotes the well-being of the people who live there. It seeks to minimize the adverse effects of traditional tourism while enhancing the culture and economy of the local community.
As a traveler, you have an impact on the people and places you visit. Here are some “ecotips” for planning your next trip:
Seek out and support locally owned hotels, restaurants and other services.
Visit parks and other natural areas that offer conservation and restoration programs—and be sure to contribute to these programs.
Avoid renting a car and take public transportation instead.
Choose tour operators that support local businesses and conservation efforts.
EXTERNAL LINKS Ecotourism at Conservation International (CI)
Through regional programs and with partners in various sectors, CI translates the economic benefits of ecotourism into powerful industry incentives and forges links between the promotion of human welfare and the protection of biodiversity. For those who manage these initiatives, conserving biodiversity is now a matter of both environmental stewardship and economic livelihood.
The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)
TIES is the world’s largest and oldest ecotourism organization, with members from more than 70 countries. Its mission is to promote responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people.
Shark-watching tips to keep you—and the sharks—safe
As people’s fear of sharks gives way to fascination, more and more travelers are seeking close encounters with these animals in the wild. From diving with manta rays to watching for whale sharks, tour companies now offer a variety of trips for photographing and observing sharks and rays in their natural habitats.
If you’re planning a nature trip, keep in mind that most sharks and rays are timid and shy—so you’ll need to keep your distance to avoid disturbing them. In contrast, a few species can be aggressive and may attack if you venture too close. To be on the safe side, follow these guidelines when viewing sharks and rays in the wild:
Never feed a shark or ray or take part in dive trips that use bait to attract these animals. A few states, including Hawaii, Florida and California, have banned this practice, since it alters the animals’ natural behavior and endangers divers.
Don’t grab or poke a shark or ray, or chase it if it swims away from you. If you’re taking photos, make sure the animal can easily swim away if it feels threatened.
Be careful not to stand on or brush against sensitive coral reefs. These habitats provide homes for sharks and rays and can easily be crushed.
When you’re at the beach, shuffle your feet along the seafloor so timid stingrays can swim out of the way.
