Sandy Bottom Touch Tank Training

Introduction to Sandy Bottom Touch Tank

Part of building the connection between Aquarium guests and Narragansett Bay is introducing them to the various habitats found in our watershed. In your own words, introduce guests to the Sandy Bottom Habitat and Touch Tank. Discuss what makes this habitat unique. This introduction should be relatively short and should easily segue into learning about the species in the exhibit.

Our models and biofacts are educational tools used to create a more inclusive experience at the Sandy Bottoms Touch Tank. Identify one model/ biofact and how you would use it while educating.

Why can we see Smooth Dogfish sticking their heads out of the water?

This is a stress response and if seen, visitors must immediately take their hands out of the water.

This is a playful behavior. Smooth Dogfish are often known to dance when excited to see their human friends.

This is an example of a Smooth Dogfish trying to escape it’s environment.

Rocky PointThis is a curiosity behavior often seen in captive environments when sharks are exposed to lots of new sights and sounds around them. They bring their eyes higher up out of the water to get a better look.

Identify each species in Sandy Bottoms Touch Tank and list two facts about each. Include information about how the species has adapted to its habitat.

Sandy Bottom Animal Handing:

The following 3 questions are related to the video above.

How do you appropriately handle a Horseshoe Crab?

Support the Horseshoe Crab with two wide hands, telson facing you, and just above the water to help support the weight of the Horseshoe Crab.

As long as you are holding the Horseshoe Crab over the water, the Horseshoe Crab is safely supported.

Support the Horseshoe Crab with two wide hands, telson facing away from you and toward the mural, and just above the water to help support the weight of the Horseshoe Crab.

Hold the Horseshoe crab by its telson since it is the strongest part of the Horseshoe crabs body.

How should you handle an Acadian Hermit Crab?

Hold just by the shell, avoid “poaking” the animal’s body.

Touch just the shell, avoid touching the animal, especially near the claws and face.

Make a cup with your hand over the water and let the Acadian Hermit Crab crawl in your cupped hand.

No touching or handling of the Acadian Hermit Crab is allowed.

It is important to make sure that you are moving from head to tail when touching both the chain catshark and little skate.

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Sandy Bottom Touch Tank Training