10 More Things We Now Know About Sharks & Rays

July 28, 2025

Species Highlights

It’s the time of year when we take a deep dive into our collective fascination with sharks and stingrays. And, as it turns out, there’s still a lot for us to learn about them.

While they’re disappearing at an alarming rate—with at least fifty percent fewer sharks and rays in the ocean today than there were in 1970 and as many as one-third of all known shark and ray species threatened with extinction—new information on elasmobranchs continues to surface all the time.

Here are just a few of the new theories and findings that have come to light over the past few months:

COLOR US SURPRISED Scientists discovered that pigment working in conjunction with microscopic guanine crystals in a blue shark’s dermal denticles (the tiny, tooth-like structures on their skin) might give the animal the ability to change hue and subtly camouflage in response to changing environment conditions.
NEW BUT VERY OLD The National Park Service announced fossils found in Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave National Park resulted in a newly identified ancient shark species—Macadens olsoni. And that’s not even close to their only shark find, by the way—in March the Park shared the discovery of a “chipmunk shark” with molar-like teeth.
TAG, THEY’RE IT Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute researchers shared they had developed a custom, multi-sensor biologging tag that was successfully field tested on the elusive and fast-moving whitespotted eagle ray, tracking how it moved, ate and interacted with its habitat.
A TOOTH COULD HOLD THE TRUTH Australian researchers determined that despite preservation, shark jaws and teeth kept in museums and other collections still had the potential to reveal where and what those animals ate when they were alive via the process of stable isotope analysis.
THEY COULD EAT WHATEVER THEY WANTED Always a subject of fascination, modern understanding of the megalodon is constantly evolving and a recent study suggested that the massive creature’s dining habits might have been broader and more opportunistic than previously believed.
SCARS REVEAL SECRETS Researchers proposed a new system for classifying white sharks’ wounds in the hopes of being able to piece together some fairly basic but still unknown information such as where they mate, where they give birth and “how they interact with prey, predators and each other.”
A TELLTALE TAIL Because not all rays have protective barbs on their tails, scientists have long wondered why they had tails at all. Researchers taking a closer look found the cownose ray tail was connected to its lateral line and contained tiny holes, suggesting it was a sensory organ that serves as a sort of antenna.
SHARK SOUNDS Scientists in New Zealand recorded what is believed to be the first-ever recording of sharks actively producing noise—the clicking of rig sharks.
TAKING A MUCH CLOSER LOOK Researchers examined the internal structure of blacktip sharks at nanoscale to find out what in their biomechanical makeup contributes to their power, resilience and flexibility.
BABY SHARKS ARE A BIG DEAL Mapping newborn whale shark sightings against oceanographic data revealed a connection between whale shark births and Minimum Oxygen Zones that ultimately could help contribute to the species survival.

Are you a shark and ray fan? Follow us on Facebook, sign up for our e-news or subscribe to our YouTube channel for more information on elasmobranchs and other aquatic life.

-Samantha F.

Sharks at #CLEAquarium!

July 16, 2025

Species Highlights

Written by Greater Cleveland Aquarium

Join Aquarist Ryan as he shares fun facts about the 4 species of sharks residing at the Aquarium in the video below!

Enjoy the video? Join us for a celebration of sharks and stingrays during Fin Fest, now – August 5.

Where Do Shark’s Teeth Go?

Species Highlights

Written by Greater Cleveland Aquarium

The Aquarium divers find tons of shark teeth during daily operations! We’re showcasing the different types of teeth they find and how they’re adapted to each species in the video below!

Join us for a celebration of sharks and stingrays during Fin Fest, now – August 5.

Talking About Rays With Curator Ray

Species Highlights

Written by Greater Cleveland Aquarium

Have you ever wanted to know why stingrays bury themselves in the sand, or how they find food? Aquarium Curator Ray P. took some time to answer those questions in the video below!

Join us for a celebration of sharks and stingrays during Fin Fest, now – August 5.

Frogs v. Toads . . . What’s The Difference?

March 24, 2025

Written by Greater Cleveland Aquarium

Have you ever found yourself wondering what exactly is the difference between a frog and a toad? While these two amphibians may look similar, they have some key differences, especially when it comes to their habitats and movement.

Northern Green Frog at Greater Cleveland Aquarium. — (Northern Green Frog)

Here in Ohio, both frogs and toads play an important role in our ecosystems, and you can find them in a variety of environments, from wetlands to woodlands.

Frogs are typically found in or near water, with smooth, moist skin that helps them stay hydrated. Their long, powerful legs make them excellent jumpers, allowing them to escape predators with ease.

Toads, on the other hand, prefer drier environments like forests, gardens and even suburban backyards. They have rough, bumpy skin that helps retain moisture. They have shorter legs, which makes them better suited for walking or short hops rather than long leaps. Despite these differences, both frogs and toads are voracious insect eaters, feasting on everything from mosquitoes to beetles – making them great natural pest control!

Next time you visit the Aquarium, be sure to check out our amphibian habitats to see if you can spot the differences and know whether you’re peering at a frog or a toad. And if you’d like to learn more, join us for our Take A Closer Look virtual tour. We’ll look closely at some of our smaller residents as we tour the Aquarium and answer all of your big questions in real-time.

5 Things I Learned About Spiny Pacific Lumpsuckers

February 26, 2025

5 Things I Learned

Written by Greater Cleveland Aquarium

This tiny, orb-like fish, which only grows 1-3 inches in size, is the aptly named Pacific spiny lumpsucker. Here are 5 things a non-aquarist learned about this interesting species at Greater Cleveland Aquarium.

Pacific spiny lumpsuckers reside in waters ranging from Northern Japan all the way to the Washington coast in the United States. You’ll find them in shallow bays, rocky reefs, kelp forests and eelgrass beds.
With a wide mouth and colors ranging from green to brown to plum, lumpsuckers notably lack scales. Instead, the species sports a covering of spiky tubercles. While males typically have reddish-brown outgrowths, females have larger and more-numerous spines with a pale-green coloration.
When this species reproduces, the eggs are laid in rocky crevices in shallow water. Males care for them, protecting the eggs from predators including crabs, sea stars and small fish.
Interestingly, lumpsuckers lack a swim bladder and are not very strong swimmers. They rely on their modified pelvic fins to work like a suction cup to help them stay in place, similar to a northern clingfish!
As less-than-stellar swimmers, lumpsuckers prey upon other slow-moving species like crustaceans, bristle worms and mollusks.

With their striking-yet-small appearance, see how many lumpsuckers you can spot during your next Aquarium visit. Nature. It’s a curious thing.

5 Things I Learned About Ripsaw Catfish

5 Things I Learned

Written by Greater Cleveland Aquarium

Primarily found in waterways throughout the Amazon, you’re looking at the ripsaw catfish. Here are 5 things a non-aquarist learned about this fascinating animal at Greater Cleveland Aquarium.

This species’ genus name—Oxydoras—means sharp skin. With serrated scales and thorn-like hooks for defense along its sides, it’s easy to see how this armored catfish earned the name “ripsaw.”
Interestingly, these catfish reside in both whitewater and blackwater rivers. Whitewater rivers have higher amounts of suspended sediment and low acidity, while blackwater rivers are slow moving, transparent and more acidic.
Also called the “talking catfish,” ripsaws make audible grunts and clicks to communicate.
Like other catfish, a ripsaw’s whiskers are actually sensory organs known as barbels! These organs allow the fish to locate food including larvae, crustaceans and insects.
You may also notice the ripsaw catfish’s downward-facing mouth. This allows it to scoop food from the riverbottom where it combs for its meals.

With a distinct appearance and relatively large size, it’s hard not to notice the ripsaw catfish. Look for one during your next Greater Cleveland Aquarium visit.

5 Things I Learned About Picasso Triggerfish

December 12, 2024

Written by Greater Cleveland Aquarium

Known for its bright, distinctive bands of color reminiscent of a Pablo Picasso painting, you’re looking at the aptly named Picasso triggerfish. Here are 5 things a non-aquarist learned about this fascinating species at Greater Cleveland Aquarium.

1: Some know this species by a different name: lagoon triggerfish. Another fitting title for a fish that spends most of its time
in sub-tidal reef flats and shallow lagoons.

2: For breeding, this species forms distinct pairs. Females build the nest before laying eggs and become very territorial as they guard their future young.

3: Because of the shape of the dorsal and anal fins, this species can swim forwards, backwards and even hover in place.

4: When alarmed, the triggerfish makes a whirring sound. Researchers believe the whirring warns other triggerfish of potential danger.

5: The “trigger” in triggerfish comes from their dorsal spine, which can be raised when startled. If the fish is hiding in a small space, the spine acts as a wedge to hold them in place.

With its bright coloration and attention-grabbing name, it’s hard not to notice the Picasso triggerfish. Look for one during your next Greater Cleveland Aquarium visit.

5 Things I Learned About Northern Clingfish

Written by Greater Cleveland Aquarium

This flat, round animal is the Northern clingfish, typically found in in the Eastern Pacific from Alaska to Mexico. Here are 5 things a non-aquarist learned about this fascinating species at Greater Cleveland Aquarium.

1: With a slightly flat, depressed head, the clingfish’s pelvic fins connect to form an adhesive disk, which it uses to stick itself strongly to rocks and plants. Just to hammer home how impressive their physiology is, scientists are currently in the process of creating suction cups inspired by the northern clingfish’s disk.

2: Clingfish use their suction to steady themselves as they pull prey off rocks. Their favorite menu items include crustaceans and mollusks.

3: In terms of their predators, clingfish have to keep an eye out for snakes, gulls and even raccoons, who might snatch them up at low tide!

4: Northern clingfish reproduce by laying eggs under rocks. The eggs hatch into what are called platonic larvae and it’s the males who protect the babies.

5: A northern clingfish can survive low tide by breathing air—well, more like it absorbs oxygen through its skin, which is a useful trait for an intertidal fish.

Look for this interesting fish clinging to the glass or rocks of its habitat during your next Greater Cleveland Aquarium Visit. Nature. It’s a curious thing.