New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
The Ocean Explorium is pleased to announce the arrival of a baby White Spotted Bamboo Shark. After approximately 100 days in the egg, this fully-formed young shark hatched Friday, January 6th.
“This is very exciting,” said Warren Gibbons, exhibit curator for the Ocean Explorium. “Volunteers and staff were the first to see the baby and we are all looking forward to more hatching in the next few days. There is significant activity within a few of the egg cases, indicating the babies are preparing to hatch.”
Mr. Gibbons added, “The young shark appears to be quite healthy. It breathes easily, moves along the bottom of its isolation tank, and is already eating.” The baby shark measures about six inches in length and displays faint bands of contrasting color which will darken with age.
The egg-laying White Spotted Bamboo Shark is one of three species exhibited in the Ray and Shark Touch Tank within the Ocean Explorium; other species include the Atlantic Stingray and Cownose Ray. In addition, a Scallop Touch Tank and Rocky Shore Touch Tank permit visitors to interact with sea life.
The Ocean Explorium, located at 174 Union Street in Downtown New Bedford, is open Thursday through Sunday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, and is handicap accessible through the building’s rear entrance.
