Sharks: What They Are and How to See Them

Sharks are cartilaginous fish — their skeletons are made of cartilage rather than bone — and they have existed for hundreds of millions of years, long before dinosaurs. You can see them up close at Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey, which features sharks alongside hippos, penguins, sea turtles, and octopuses. This guide covers what sharks are, how they live, and how to observe them responsibly at an aquarium or in the wild.

What Makes a Shark a Shark

Several traits separate sharks from other fish:

• Cartilage skeleton. Bones are absent; flexible cartilage supports the body and aids maneuverability.
• Multiple gill slits. Most fish have one gill cover per side; sharks typically have five to seven exposed gill slits.
• Skin covered in dermal denticles. These tiny tooth-like scales reduce drag and feel like sandpaper.
• Continual tooth replacement. Teeth are arranged in rows, and new ones rotate forward as old ones are lost.
• Electroreception. Specialized organs called ampullae of Lorenzini detect weak electrical fields produced by prey.

Major Groups You'll Encounter

Habitat and Diet

Sharks occupy nearly every marine environment, from shallow coral reefs and estuaries to the deep sea and open ocean. A few species, such as the bull shark, tolerate freshwater and have been recorded far up rivers.

Their diets vary widely:

• Large predatory species (great white, tiger shark) take seals, fish, and sometimes sea turtles.
• Plankton feeders (whale shark, basking shark) filter tiny organisms from the water.
• Bottom feeders (nurse shark) suck up crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish.

Most sharks are opportunistic and eat whatever is available in their size range rather than hunting a single prey type.

Why Sharks Matter in the Ecosystem

As apex and mesopredators, sharks influence the species below them. Removing them can cascade through a food web — for example, releasing mid-level predators that then overconsume grazers, which can damage reef or seagrass habitats. Many sharks also scavenge, cycling nutrients and removing carcasses. Because they grow slowly, mature late, and produce few young, shark populations recover slowly from overfishing, which makes them especially vulnerable.

Seeing Sharks at an Aquarium

Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey, is built around underwater exhibits that include sharks, and the same visit can include hippos, penguins, sea turtles, and octopuses. To plan a trip:

1. Check the calendar first. Hours and daily activities vary, so confirm the date and any scheduled feedings or talks before you go.
2. Review the visit-planning pages. The aquarium publishes directions and parking, accessibility, aquarium policies, and preferred lodging information to help you build the day.
3. Look at the itinerary tool. A pre-built itinerary can help you sequence exhibits so you don't miss the shark habitats.
4. Note the cashless policy. The aquarium publishes a cashless FAQ, so plan to pay by card or another accepted method rather than cash.

What to Watch For

• Swimming patterns. Reef sharks often cruise continuously; nurse sharks frequently rest on the bottom.
• Feeding behavior. If a feeding is scheduled, watch how the animals approach food and how staff manage the interaction.
• Gill movement. You can see the gill slits open and close as the shark ventilates.

Common Misconceptions

• "All sharks are dangerous." The great majority of species pose no threat to people; serious incidents involve a small number of species and are rare.
• "Sharks are mindless." Many species show learning, curiosity, and complex social or migratory behavior.
• "Sharks have no predators." Larger sharks, orcas, and other marine mammals prey on smaller sharks.
• "Sharks are all the same." Body shape, size, diet, and habitat differ enormously — from the filter-feeding whale shark to the bottom-resting nurse shark.

Conservation Status and What You Can Do

Many shark species are threatened by overfishing, bycatch, and habitat loss. Conservation efforts focus on fishing limits, protected areas, and reducing demand for shark products. As a visitor, you can support conservation by choosing accredited aquariums that participate in research and breeding programs, following exhibit rules, and learning which species are most at risk.

Quick Answers

Are sharks fish? Yes — they are cartilaginous fish, distinct from bony fish but still fish.

Do sharks sleep? They rest, but many must keep moving to ventilate their gills; some species can pump water over their gills while stationary.

Where can I see sharks in New Jersey? Adventure Aquarium in Camden includes sharks among its exhibits, along with hippos, penguins, sea turtles, and octopuses.