Sometimes referred to as the golden retrievers of the shark kingdom, zebra sharks can grow to an impressive 8 feet long, but their teeth are blunt, their manner is mild and their attitude is one of friendly curiosity.

       At the Shedd Aquarium, a zebra shark named Seymour will allow a favorite staff member to give him belly rubs.

       “They’re just very mellow,” said Shedd director of marine research Steve Kessel. “(We) can stroke their heads.”

       As “Shark Week,” the programming phenomenon first created by Discovery Channel, bears down on us with sharp teeth and heart-pumping drama, the Shedd Aquarium is offering virtual shark feeding tours, extended hours, shark programs for kids and teens, and a reminder that, far from being the bloodthirsty predators of “Jaws,” sharks for the most part live peaceably with humans.

       In fact, where humans are concerned, they’re more prey than predators, Kessel said.

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       While sharks inhabit every ocean ecosystem in the world, fatal attacks on humans are relatively rare, averaging about eight a year, Kessel said. In contrast, about 100 million sharks are killed in fisheries each year, or 1 in 15 sharks. The biggest reason, Kessel said, is demand for shark fin soup.

       “They’re my favorite animals, and when people get more interested in sharks this time of year, it’s a great opportunity for us to really dispel some of the myths,” said Kessel.

       Sandbar sharks are among the 12 species of sharks at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, which is offering additional programs for Shark Week. (Brenna Hernandez / HANDOUT)

       Among the activities the Shedd is offering for Shark Week is the Virtual Shark Feeding Tour, a live virtual tour that gives guests a chance to see the behind-the scenes process of feeding in the Wild Reef Exhibit. Guests learn about meal preparation for the sharks, which receive restaurant-quality seafood, and about daily care. The tour lasts 40 minutes and is offered on select Saturdays and Sundays through August 2021. The cost is $49.95 per person ($44.95 for members).

       “People have questions all the time about the sharks in our Wild Reef habitat, which is our largest shark habitat with 400,000 gallons,” said Shedd media and public relations manager Kayley Ciocci.

       “People are always wondering, how do you feed them? Do they eat other animals in this exhibit? And the reason they don’t is because of the unique training program that our aquarium has.”

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       Each species of shark is assigned a specific symbol and sound to signal feeding time, she said. The sharks will swim up to the correct symbol, and staff will offer them fish.

       Zebra sharks can grow to 8 feet long, but their teeth are blunt and their manner is so mild and friendly that they are sometimes compared to golden retrievers. (Brenna Hernandez / HANDOUT)

       In addition, shark lovers can visit the great fish after hours on Wednesday evenings through the end of July. Advanced tickets for aquarium visits are required. The cost is $39.95 per adult ages 12+/$29.95 Children ages 3-11; Chicago residents $19.95 adults 12+/$14.95 children 3-11; members attend for free.

       The Shedd is also offering a free (virtual) shark workshop for teens on July 14, and a “From Sharks to Stingrays” workshop July 28 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

       Young shark fans can join Shedd Aquarium for one of its weeklong summer camps for kindergarten through fifth grade. Campers will explore the impressive world of aquatic animals, uncover amazing adaptations, meet animals up-close, explore Shedd Aquarium habitats, and participate in hands-on activities, outdoor games, crafts and more. One day of the program will focus on Indo-Pacific animals in Wild Reef, home to many of the sharks living at Shedd. Camps are held July 12-16, July 19-23, July 26-30, August 2-6 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., and cost $400 for nonmembers.

       nschoenberg@chicagotribune.com

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