A Second Trip to Zoo Lights

The second time we went to the Tacoma Zoo, we combined a trip to see Zoo Lights with a Shark Tank Dive we'd given the boys as a Christmas present. The zoo allows four people to lower themselves into a cage in the South Pacific Aquarium for an hour with sixteen sharks. The boys got to see Nurse, Sandbar, Sand Tiger, Blacktip, and Wobbegong sharks.

The boys were fitted with dry suits, masks, and regulators. They also learned how to clear water out of their mask, how to descend comfortably, and how to signal underwater. 

The zoo diver made sure each person lined up on the side nearest the glass for pictures.

Here's Sam trying to relieve pressure in his ears.

Tom is giving a wave. He said that he could see us through the glass very clearly, which means that when you think a shark is looking at you through the glass there, you aren't kidding yourself. The sharks are very curious and come over to check out each new group of divers.

Then they open the door.

And the kids are allowed to peek out, one at a time.

The black and yellow stick at the top left corner is a prod the zoo diver would have used if any shark had actually tried to enter the cage. One shark did come right up, but immediately turned away after a gesture from the zoo diver. Needless to say, all of the sharks in the tank are nonaggressive.