Sharks

A large model of a megalodon in an exhibition space with display cases and exhibit text beside it.

Emily Vanderpol/© AMNH

In this traveling exhibition, examine the amazing breadth of shark diversity, the challenges and benefits of humans and sharks coexisting, and the role sharks play in ocean ecosystems.

Sharks goes beyond the stereotype of the terrifying hunter, bringing visitors a new perspective on these animals through an incredible exploration of adaptations, habitats, and the human-shark relationship.

Highlights

This immersive, family-friendly exhibition includes dozens of life-size models showcasing the diverse range of shark species and touch-free interactives that challenge visitors to hunt like a hammerhead.

A boy stands in front of a screen with his hands out, piloting a hammerhead shark on the screen.

Visitors can “hunt like a hammerhead” in a touch-free interactive exhibit that invites visitors to direct a shark to detect prey.
D. Finnin/© AMNH

A visitor takes a photo of a group of visitors posing inside a life-sized replica of megalodon jaws.

Visitors can step into a life-sized replica of the jaws of the prehistoric mega-predator megalodon, known as “Tyrannosaurus rex of the seas.”
D. Finnin/© AMNH

'Sharks' appears on white text on a dark screen, next to four screens with sharks swimming.

Sharks offers visitors a unique look at prehistoric and modern species, their habitats and hunting styles, and the conservation threats these spectacular animals face today.
D. Finnin/© AMNH

An adult and child view a 33-foot model of a whale shark.

The biggest fish in the world is a whale shark (Rhincodon typus), shown in the exhibition as a 33-foot model.
D. Finnin/ © AMNH

Key questions

What's the history of sharks in the world?
How many species of sharks are there?
How do different species of sharks vary from one another?
What is the human impact on sharks?

[AMBIENT MUSIC]

[Visitors in shadow walk past the exhibition title wall. Text reads “Sharks”.]

[A shark swims forward and transitions into a video projected onto a wall with visitors watching.]

[A woman and young boy walk toward a model of a Megalodon with its mouth wide open. A sign nearby reads “Ancient”.]

[A woman reads an infographic titled “How old are sharks?”.]

[A man looks on as a woman and a child jump and play a game pretending to be sharks swimming.]

[A woman looks at a model of a Great white shark.]

[Closeup of a whale shark model next to a sign that says “Biggest and smallest”.]

[Two visitors hover over buttons on panel asking “What’s the real risk?”. They watch as the meter above fills to show how dangerous other species are to humans compared to sharks.]

[A family interacts with digital panels about shark life and characteristics.]

[Closeup of rabbitfish shark model.]

[Two kids play the simulation game where they can hunt like a hammerhead shark.]

[Pan over an array of shark models, including a great white, hammerhead, and a saw shark.]

[A woman takes a video of a child and a man jumping and playing with a mini game.]

[A child looks into the mouth of a Megalodon model in wonder.]

[MUSIC DRIFTS OFF]

[Credits roll. Text: The Museum gratefully acknowledges Discovery Inc. for its generous support of Sharks. A selection of footage in Sharks has been provided by Discovery's Shark Week.]

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Sharks is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (amnh.org). The Museum gratefully acknowledges Discovery Inc. for its generous support of Sharks. A selection of footage in Sharks has been provided by Discovery's Shark Week.

Sharks

Highlights

Key questions

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