- SEA LIFE, Ocean Tunnel
Sharks have lived in our oceans for more than 420 million years... that makes them older than Dinosaurs!
Their brains have evolved to become more intelligent and devoted to their senses – mainly their ability to smell. There are over 500 species of shark in our oceans and you’ll meet different species when you explore our Ocean Tunnel!
- SEA LIFE Trust is actively working with the Shark Trust to campaign against unsustainable shark fishing in EU waters. SEA LIFE is also proud to be coordinating the European Black Tip Reef Shark breeding programme.
Black Tip Reef Shark
We have 7 blacktip reef sharks who are all still juveniles and are part of SEA LIFE's ongoing conservation efforts to breed this species. Blacktip reef sharks need to keep moving to survive, so when they sleep they actually just rest half of their brain at a time.
Zebra Shark
Meet Ziggy, SEA LIFE Manchester’s Zebra Shark. See if you can spot her in the Ocean Display.
Zebra Sharks hatch out of an egg measuring around 15cm. They are born with black and white stripes which is where they get their name from!
As they grow, they change colour to a pale sandy yellow and their stripes change to spots so they are often mistaken for Leopard sharks.
Banded Bamboo Shark
- This particular specie of shark can grow to be about 3 feet long
- They are also called "cat sharks" because the sensory organs near their nose look like cat whiskers - in fact, they help the shark to find food
Banded bamboo sharks have been known to use their find to help them walk in very shallow waters. Can you spot ours?
