“There could be more,” said Jeff Geiser, the aquarium’s public relations manager.
In 2005, Sweet Pea became the first shark ray to be displayed in the Western Hemisphere and the aquarium says the prehistoric-looking fish is the first to become pregnant in a controlled environment.
Scooter’s introduction in 2007 ushered in the aquarium’s Shark Ray Breeding Program, the first of its kind in the world.
He is thought to have fathered Sweet Pea’s pups because he has been with her longer than the Aquarium’s other male shark ray Spike, Geister said.
Little is known about shark rays, but their gestation is thought to take a year. Spike was added in 2013. Paternal testing will be conducted after the pups are born.
Based on Jan. 8 ultrasound results obtained using equipment borrowed from the University of Cincinnati, the pups are near birth size.
“(The birth) could be a month out or three weeks out,” Geister said. “Scientifically we are kind of learning as we go along.”
Sweet Pea was taken off display and moved to an off site facility in Northern Kentucky for her babies’ safety from other fish in the shark tank, Geister said.
He said the pups’ time alone with their mother will allow them to get bigger and stronger before they are added to the tank.
Here are 5 facts about the shark rays from the aquarium:
A shark, ray blend
The Rhina ancylostoma is from the Indo-Pacific region. They got their name because their heads resemble that of a ray and the rest of their bodies resemble that of a shark. Their skeletons are made of cartilage like the creatures that lend them their names.
Expensive taste
Shark rays live near the coast and offshore reefs in tropical waters. They have ‘expensive’ tastes. The aquarium says they crush and chow down on shellfish using strong jaws covered in small rounded teeth. Their favorite foods include lobster and crab.
Red listed
Shark rays are rare and little is known about them. The World Conservation Union lists the species as vulnerable to extinction on its Red List of Threatened Animals.
Food
Threats to shark rays include the destruction of habitat, pollution and over-fishing. Their fins are used in products like fin soup in some cultures.
’S’ names
There are 42 shark rays on display worldwide at 25 institutions. Newport Aquarium has four: Sweet Pea, Scooter, Sunshine and Spike. Sunshine was added in 2007 and Spike in 2013. A fifth shark ray died shortly after being added this summer.
Contact this columnist at arobinson@DaytonDailyNews.com or Twitter.com/DDNSmartMouth
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