Located below the Lagoon Bar & Grill, outside the Coral Towers, the Predator Lagoon is a fascinating wildlife habitat under the sea, featuring predominately deeper reef fish. Sharks, barracudas, rays, sawfish and giant grouper live among vibrant schools of fish in a natural environment, complete with beautiful coral in every color imaginable. Guests can come face to face with the awesome predators as they walk through the 100-foot clear underwater tunnel submerged in the lagoon.
Features:
Sharks
The Predator Lagoon has many species of shark including, Caribbean Reef, Zebra, Great Hammerhead, Nurse, Blacktip, and Bonnethead sharks.
Barracudas
Sphyraena barracuda
They have an undeserved reputation of mindlessly stalking and attacking swimmers, but they are simply curious. Black blotches on their silver bodies are distinctive markings of these long-toothed fish that grow up to 6 ft. and over 100 lbs. Attaining speeds up to 50mph, they are among the fastest fish on the reef.
Sawfish
Pristis pectinata
This is not a shark. It is a type of ray. The impressive Sawfish (not Swordfish) grows up to 20 ft., with an elongated rostrum housing 21-34 teeth on each side. These animals feed on slow schooling fish by using the rostrum to slash and incapacitate prey. Flattened dermal plates in their mouths are used to crush their food.
Giant Grouper
Epinephelus itajara
This large sea bass can grow to 8 ft. and over 1,000 lbs. It eats smaller fish and crustaceans, captured by the powerful inhalation created when it opens its mouth. Legend claims that unsuspecting divers have been sucked into their mouths and spat out. This grouper changes sexes; by starting life as female then transforming to male with maturity.
10/04/2007