Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay:
This Resort is Swimming with Predators
Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay turned 10 in June, 2010. The attraction is the only animal care facility in Nevada accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and aims to immerse the visitor in full sensory experience. Not only will you be able to see this exotic menagerie of marine life, you'll be able to touch some of them too. How? We'll get to that in a minute.Mandalay Bay Shark Reef AttractionsYou'll find more than sharks (there are 15 species of these carnivorous beasts, about 100 animals in all), plus a variety of other predators. If you'd like to learn about the marine species listed below, or other species swimming around the aquarium, make reservations for a one hour guided tour with a one hour classroom session, by calling 702-632-4555. But you'll find a quick peek at some of the potentially deadly or merely painful creatures here: Golden Crocodile – These reptiles will grow up to 20 feet long and weigh up to a ton. They only need to eat two or three times a week, and can be found in fresh or salt water. Piranha – Did you know some species of Piranhas can grow up to two feet long? This fish normally lives in South America and dines on other fish, mammals, birds and reptiles. The ones at Shark Reef though, like chicken. Southern Stingrays – Watch out for these, the next time you go to the beach. You might actually step on one while wading along the shoreline or on a grassy seabed. Take heart though, it's sting will hurt but probably not kill you. 
Komodo Dragon – It's stealthy, powerful and fast. It's also very patient, lying in wait for hours. Even if you should manage to escape the clutches of a Komodo Dragon, you won't live for long. Seven deadly strains of bacteria thrive in this lizard's saliva, which will leave you dead in a rather painful week. Green Sawfish – This is what you might get when you cross a shark with a stingray. Sawfish are actually stingrays with shark-like bodies, but the teeth are all on the long snout, which is what gives it its saw-like appearance. Lionfish – The bright colors might attract people, but they're really Mother Nature's warning sign to stay away. Those spines are venomous! Moray Eels – These grow up to 10 feet long and are covered in mucus to protect their bodies. And if that doesn't sound bad enough, they administer a rather vicious bite. You probably won't die, but you'll hurt. Fin-to-Fin With Sharks in the DesertYou can get in for a closer look, if you like. If you are dive-certified and over 18, you'll be able to put more than a toe in the water with the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Shipwreck Exhibit. It's a bit pricey: $650 for one diver/$1,000 for two, but it may be worth it if you'd like to swim with over 30 sharks (Sandtiger, Sandbar and Whitetip Reef Sharks), some rays, sawfish, green sea turtles and schools of other fish. And you'll get free admission for four guests to visit Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay, a video of the dive, and a guided tour of the aquarium. Reservations are available for Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and they must be canceled 72 hours in advance (with a $75 cancellation fee) if you can't make your dive time. No refunds for late cancellations and no-shows. Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Goes GreenYou may think it's politically incorrect to make sharks live in the desert. But the Mandalay Bay shark staff employs state-of-the-art technology to keep this full-size facility operating smoothly, and utilizes the highest standards of animal care.Additionally, you'll find that Mandalay Bay participates in an active conservation program: -90 percent of the aquarium water is recycled on a monthly basis.
-Shark Reef Aquarium helps breed and maintain the endangered pupfish population, which can only be found in a cave at Death Valley National Park.
-Aquarium staff and their families pick up trash at Lake Mead three times per year.
-Mandalay Bay staff participates in the Storm Drain Marking Program, which reminds Nevada residents not to pollute storm drains that flow into Lake Mead.
-All aquarium visitors get the In Good Taste Sustainable Seafood Pocket Guide, which shows consumers how to choose seafood dishes that help protect and maintain marine populations. Note: Shark is NOT on the menu for the conservation-conscious! (RM Seafood, one of the many Mandalay Bay restaurants and one of the Tix4Dinner dining partners, is one of the few seafood eateries in Vegas that serves sustainable seafood at its restaurant.) Visitor Information
The Mandalay Bay Shark Reef Aquarium is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday – Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Admission costs for Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay are about $17 for adults, $11 for children under 12, and Free for children under 4 years old.
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