Birthday With a Bite

A bowmouth guitarfish sounds like a pretty cool gift for a 10th birthday.

It has certainly delighted Jack Jewell, curator for Mandalay Bay's Shark Reef, which marks its 10th anniversary this year. The aquarium opened in 2000.

"It's an incredibly unusual animal," Jewell says. "People looking at it will go 'what is that?' "

But the name says it all. The bowmouth guitarfish, also called a shark ray, is what it sounds like: half shark, half ray. The front portion of its body is a disc shape, but it still has a long, full body with tall dorsal fins, Jewell says. The eyes are octupuslike and it features rows of thorny protuberances across its head. The coolest part about the shark ray?

Its mouth, Jewell says.

Rays don't have teeth to eat with, they use crushing plates that grind together to masticate their food. Sharks have teeth. The shark ray uses crushing plates that interlock in a toothlike way.

The animals are listed as vulnerable in the wild and only about a dozen are in captivity in the U.S., Jewell says.

"So we have an animal that you're not likely to see anywhere else," he adds.

It comes to the Shark Reef just in time for their last big party celebrating the aquarium's 10th anniversary. Two parties have already been held this year. The next is Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Face painters, balloon artists, magicians and more will be on hand. Admission for all adults on that day will be $10, with kids 5 to 12 admission $5. Ages 4 and under are free. The casino will feature $10 drink and food specials, too.

The 5-foot-long, 90-pound shark ray may be the guest of honor but more than 2,000 animals are on display at the aquarium, many added over the years.

When Shark Reef opened, Jewell's goal was to focus people's attention on the environment and educate them through the aquarium's creatures. He's acquired several exotic animals that have given guests the opportunity to see something unique and rare.

A Komodo dragon was added in 2008; visitors can see a variety of sharks as well as octopuses, piranha, jellyfish, alligators and more.

Jewell says he's happy with the way Shark Reef has grown over the past decade and how it's become something of a locals' attraction. Most satisfying is how they have been able to bring something to the Strip that stands out as unique, even among the most unique Vegas things.

"First and foremost, I would say (Shark Reef) has become an increasingly important part of the community," Jewell says. "I see an increasing number of locals recognizing us."

As for the future, Jewell says he hopes to one day expand. Adding a great white shark, while not possible in the facility they currently have, is one animal on his wish list. One day, Jewell hopes to have an area that allows guests to get even closer to the sharks.

"We will continue finding unique animals to exhibit," Jewell says. "And to reach out (to) the Las Vegas locals."

Contact reporter Sonya Padgett at spadgett@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4564.