STRAYCAT’S DOGGONE BLOG

Christmas Day: Visit to Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay

December 25, 2008 on 12:54 pm | In Family, Travelblogue, Homefront |

Christmas Day. Today, my family and I visited Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay. We hadn’t been there in a few years. Shark Reef is not just a ‘tourist trap’. It is accredited by the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) and is involved in numerous conservation efforts such as the clean up of Lake Mead and working to save local endangered species. There are a multitude of varieties of fish to see throughout the aquarium (more than 2000 animals and 100 different species). I will identify those that I can. The main reason for this visit was the addition of a Komodo Dragon exhibit.

Komodo Dragons are the largest reptile, and are an Endangered species. Only 3000 to 5000 are estimated to exist in the wild. They are not venomous, but 50 different types of bacteria inhabit their mouth, seven of which are deadly. Just their size will be enough to keep me at a distance. There is also a Water Monitor Lizard (above right), the second largest reptile.

Above left are what I think are Black Pacu, but I’m not certain. On the right are a pair of Blacktip Reef sharks and a Zebra Shark.

Above left is a Porcupine Puffer (cute huh). On the right is a shy Unicorn Tang, He/she turned away as I was taking the picture.

Above left are Blue Moon Angelfish. Above right is a Lionfish. They have nasty little spines on the tips of their fins which are poisonous.

Hiding in the center of the picture above left is a Malabar Grouper. Pretty good job of camouflage. In the picture above right are Moon Jellyfish. Jellyfish are not really fish at all. They are invertebrates that have no eyes, ears, or brains (not unlike most of todays Politicians). Unlike politicians, Jellyfish consist of 96% water. Politicians seem to consist of 96% of another substance (bovine excrement). Sorry about that, but I just couldn’t pass up such an obvious comparison.

Above left is a much better picture of a Blacktip Reef Shark. Above right is a Fiddler Ray.

Above left is a Starfish (duh). Above right is a Giant Pacific Octopus (again duh, except for the specific name).

Above left is a Green Sawfish. They are an Endangered Species because they are particularly vulnerable to being caught up in commercial fishing nets. Above right is a Sandtiger Shark. Looks like a Great White, but it’s not. They are a Threatened Species.

Last but not least is this lonely Tarpon. I can’t blame him for keeping to himself. It looks like someone tried to have him for lunch.

I enjoy coming here. I still want to get a pictures of the Golden Crocodile who always seems in hiding when I’m here, and the elusive Green Sea Turtles which are slow on land, but fast enough in the water to avoid my camera lens.
If you haven’t figured it out yet, click on the pictures above for a full size view.