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 From Feb. 12-27 – covering the two weeks when most local schools take their winter breaks – The Maritime Aquarium will offer “Touch A Shark,” a special exhibit featuring live nurse sharks. These comparatively docile sharks tolerate having their backs gently touched by human fingers.
Like all sharks, the skin of nurse sharks is made of microscopic teeth-like scales called dermal denticles. The denticles lay flat, facing toward the shark’s tail. Thus, when a shark is stroked toward its tail, its surface feels smooth and leathery. But rub it “the wrong way,” against the denticles, the shark feels rough, like sandpaper. (Shark skin, in fact, was once used like sandpaper.)
“Touch A Shark” will be free with Aquarium general admission.
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