Cape Clasp Blog

Manta rays are one of the most unique and eye-catching animals on planet earth. They also happen to be related to another popular ocean creature… sharks! Due to the relation to their toothy cousins (and to the stingray) people can mistake Don’t fret though, because manta rays don’t actually  pose any threat to humans! Let’s quell some of those unwarranted fears with 10 fun facts about these majestic ocean creatures.

When people hear the expression "mermaid's purse", they may, naturally, visualize a type of fashion accessory used by these legendary half-woman, half-fish creatures. In reality though, mermaid's purses are actually the egg cases of sharks and skates (flat fish that are very similar to manta rays, but with no spine and a fleshier tail). We know what you’re thinking; “C’mon Cape Clasp, not all sharks lay eggs!”, and you’re right! 

With over 500 different species of sharks occupying every corner of the ocean, they’re bound to come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. What would you say if we told you that the smallest shark can fit into the palm of your hand, while the biggest is as big as a school bus? Let's dive in!

Welcome to another episode of our podcast, Sharks Don’t Sleep, where we talk to people making waves for the ocean! On episode 8 we’re talking to Danni Washington, the co-founder and Executive Director of Big Blue & You!

Sharks are fascinating creatures. They have been on the planet longer than trees. They were around when the dinosaurs first started roaming the Earth and survived the mass extinction that wiped them out.

With nearly 500 different species, from the hand-sized dwarf lantern shark to the bus-sized whale shark, sharks have successfully populated every corner of every ocean for over 400 million years.

But now, many shark species are at risk of extinction due to human action.