SANDY -- They may not be cute and cuddly, but The Living Planet Aquarium is happily showing off photos of its new babies.
Five shark pups, from Australia, are now in their new Utah home. The pups were delivered by cargo plane, then truck, and arrived on Wednesday, July 11. They go on display Friday, July 13.
The three gray reef sharks and two blacktip reef sharks, who are about 1 year old, don't have names. They measure about 3 feet long, but have the potential to live 22 to 28 years and grow up to 8 feet in length.
"We wanted to get small sharks that will grow and mature before we open our new facility, which will include an 80-foot-long, 300,000-gallon shark habitat," said Andy Allison, curator of animals, in a press release announcing the pups' arrival.
Until the new sharks adjust to their surroundings, the old sharks have been moved out of sight to a holding tank.
The sharks were delivered along with a new giant shovelnose ray and a white spotted guitarfish. After their plane landed in Los Angeles, they were driven to Utah by night, to avoid daytime desert temperatures.
The Living Planet Aquarium, at 725 E. 10600 South, in Sandy, is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission is $9.95 per adult, and $7.95 per child age 3 through 17. Toddlers age 2 and younger get in free.
For information call 801-355-3474 (FISH), or see the website at www.thelivingplanet.com.