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Scooter, a male shark ray, is distinguished from Sweet Pea, the female, by his distinct spotted pattern.
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In June 2005, Newport Aquarium in Newport, Ky., became the first aquarium in the Americas to display a shark ray (Rhina ancylostoma). It was a female named Sweet Pea. Almost two years later, in February 2007, Sweet Pea received a Valentine’s Day present in the form of a male shark ray, which, through a public contest, was named Scooter.
The addition of Scooter was vital to the creation of the Newport Aquarium’s Shark Ray Breeding Program, which is the world’s first dedicated program of its type.
Six months into the breeding program, there have yet to be any baby shark rays (technically known as “pups”) born at the Newport Aquarium. But, this doesn’t have the staff worried. It appears that Scooter has not reached sexual maturity yet. Once that happens, the staff hopes that he will take an interest in Sweet Pea.
The shark ray is a fish. It is also referred to as the bowmouth guitarfish, and is related to sharks and rays. Found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, little is known about this rare species. Its common name stems from its sharklike dorsal fins and flat, rounded underside, which resembles that of a ray.
Shark rays are listed on The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources’ Red List of Threatened Species, because the species is not only rare, but highly desired in Asian markets for human consumption.
“The shark ray, as a species, is a mystery and it faces many challenges. In some ways, you can consider it the ‘panda’ of the aquatic world,” Newport Aquarium Aquatics Curator Mark Dvornak said. “We are very excited to take these steps forward in marine conservation.”
Newport Aquarium has thousands of animals from around the world in a million gallons of water. Like its sister aquarium, Adventure Aquarium, in Camden, N.J., Newport Aquarium is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a leader in global wildlife conservation.