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Discovery Centre

Set sail for discovery as you explore Ripley's Research Submarine, pop-up exhibits that get closer to clownfish, and enjoy a bite at the Café.

What Will You Discover?

Enjoy a deep-sea dive in an interactive research submarine for a totally different view of Dangerous Lagoon, slip down the shark slide or tackle the rock-climbing wall in the playground, and get acquainted with curious creatures in the Discovery Centre!

Ocellaris Clownfish

Adult ocellaris clownfish inhabit coral reefs where they may be found darting among the tentacles of anemones. They have a mucus covering that protects them from anemone tentacles' sting. Often found in small groups, the largest fish is always the female, while the second largest is the breeding male; these are the only two individuals that reproduce within the group.

Size

Up to 4 inches

Range

Indo-Pacific region

Diet

Algae, small crustaceans, zooplankton

Did You Know?

In 1972, Martin A. Moe, Jr., a young marine biologist, successfully bred ocellaris clownfish in captivity. This was a major breakthrough in the field of marine aquaculture, and it paved the way for the commercial breeding of clownfish and dozens of other species. This led to a decline in the wild-caught clownfish trade, which helped protect clownfish populations in the wild. Today, ocellaris clownfish are the most popular saltwater aquarium fish in the world. They are relatively easy to care for, and they are very hardy. They are also relatively inexpensive, thanks to the success of captive breeding.

Zebra Shark

The zebra shark is a beautiful species often seen lazily resting on the bottom under ledges of the reef during the day, preferring to forage the reef at night by sucking up prey with powerful jaw muscles.

Conservation Status

Endangered

Range

Indo-Pacific region

Diet

Fish, crustaceans mollusks

Did You Know?

When zebra sharks are young, their bodies are dark with yellowish stripes. As they grow, their stripes begin to transform into small, dark spots.

Epaulette Shark

Epaulette sharks often forage for food in tidal pools and risk being dry-docked when the water evaporates, but they can survive for over an hour without any oxygen and even “walk” on their fins to escape when stranded above the water.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Diet

Crustaceans, fish, worms

Range

Southwest Pacific Ocean - coastal Northern Australia and New Guinea

Did You Know?

Though they are capable swimmers, epaulette sharks generally slink around through the reef on their thickly muscled, paddle-shaped pectoral and pelvic fins, bending their body from side to side in a movement that is very similar to the gait of salamanders, an example of convergent evolution.

Blacktip Reef Shark

The blacktip reef shark prefers shallow water coral reefs occupying a small home range where they spend most of their time. They are typically seen swimming back and forth along reef ledges, making occasional short forays onto sandy flats.

Conservation Status

Vulnerable

Range

Indo-Pacific region

Diet

Fish, cephalopods, crustaceans

Did You Know?

As an apex predator of the coral reef environment, the blacktip reef shark plays a vital ecological role by maintaining a healthy balance on the reef.

Leopard Shark

The leopard shark may be found cruising kelp forests and rocky reefs; they are also known to follow the tide onto mud flats in large groups to forage in very shallow water. With a mouth on the underside of its head facing the bottom, this shark is well-designed to slurp up benthic invertebrates.

Conservation Status

Least concern

Range

Eastern Pacific Ocean

Diet

Crustaceans, fish, worms, mollusks

Did You Know?

Sometimes thought to be juveniles, this species remains relatively small and slender throughout their life, averaging two to four feet long. Easily identifiable by the stark pattern of black saddle-like markings and large spots along its back.

Bonnethead Shark

The smallest of the hammerhead shark family and reaching a maximum length of about four feet, the bonnethead shark migrates in large schools to warmer latitudes in the winter and to cooler waters in the summer. Rarely alone, there are usually 5-15 sharks in a school of either males or females. They are commonly found in estuaries, shallow bays, and channels, mud and sand flats, and reef habitats.

Conservation Status

Endangered

Diet

Crustaceans, fish, mollusks, cephalopods

Range

Western Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, Eastern Pacific Ocean

Did You Know?

After mating, females can store sperm for up to four months prior to actually fertilizing the eggs. This control over fertilization is believed to be an adaptation ensuring that the pups are born during optimal conditions for their survival. Once fertilized, the gestation period is only five to six months long, the shortest of all sharks.

Green Moray

During the day, the green moray can often be found poking out of a rock cave on a coral reef, preferring to hunt at night. Though the gaping teeth-filled mouth of this fish may seem intimidating to a scuba diver, they are actually just pumping water across their gills, essentially the act of breathing.

Size

Up to 98 inches

Diet

Fish, crustaceans, cephalopods

Range

Western Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea

Did You Know?

Although they appear green, moray eels have brownish or grey skin covered with a layer of yellow mucus, which results in their green appearance.

Discovery Centre

What Will You Discover?

What's Inside

Exhibits Nearby

What's Inside

Exhibits Nearby