Meet The Predators!

Visitors to Tynemouth's Blue Reef Aquarium will be able to come face to face with some of the aquatic world's most fearsome inhabitants during a special Predators event from Saturday, April 4th - Sunday, April 19th.

The predators in question range from giant Pacific octopus to deadly stonefish and some of the world's most toxic species of frog.

Visitors will also be able to find out more about the aquarium's other potentially dangerous inhabitants including piranhas, moray eels, stingrays, nautilus and puffer fish.

Designed to appeal to visitors of all ages, the Predators Weekend includes special talks and feeding demonstrations as well as trails and quizzes.

Blue Reef's Anna Etchells said: "The aquatic world can be a very dangerous place divided into the hunters and the hunted. Different species have evolved some amazing techniques to catch their prey.

"Some use high-speed attacks, while others lay in wait for their victims using near-perfect camouflage to keep themselves hidden.

"As humans we often think that we were the first to start using sophisticated artillery but in fact the aquatic world has been using many highly elaborate weapons for centuries in the ongoing underwater arms race.

"Sonic booms, electricity, missiles, chemical weapons and even fishing rods have all been employed in the never-ending battle for survival," she added. 

As well as deadly amphibians the weekend will also feature the weaponry of a variety of other aquatic animals like tropical sharks and rays.