GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Museum of Natural History is planning a “fintastic” celebration for the “Megalodon: Largest Shark that Ever Lived” exhibit from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 26.

The free, family-friendly event celebrates the prehistoric shark and its connections to modern-day species, including conservation efforts needed to protect sharks.

“I hope visitors are inspired to learn about their environment’s past and protect their environment’s future,” said Florida Museum educator Tiffany Ireland.

Employees and students from the museum’s departments of ichthyology, invertebrate paleontology and paleobotany, as well as the FOSSIL program, will have displays on sharks and fossils. Visitors may also speak with representatives from the Florida Paleontological Society, Florida Fossil Hunters and other area fossil clubs about their discoveries and research, including prehistoric sharks that swam over and near Florida.

Visitors also will have the opportunity to learn to identify shark teeth and observe shark tooth jewelry-making demonstrations by Renaissance Jewelers.

The museum will display the “Megalodon” and “Sharkabet: A Sea of Sharks From A to Z” exhibits through Jan 4, 2015.

Admission is $7 for adults ($6 Fla. residents and seniors); $4.50 for ages 3-17 and free to UF students with a valid Gator 1 card and museum members.

The whimsical exhibition “Sharkabet” showcases paintings by artist Ray Troll of extinct and living shark species for each letter of the alphabet. The exhibit was produced by The Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science.

“Megalodon: Largest Shark that Ever Lived” was produced by the Florida Museum of Natural History with support from the National Science Foundation.

For more information, visit http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/calendar/grid/megalodon-celebration/ or call 352-273-2061.

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Writer: Rosanna Del Cioppo, rdelcioppo@ufl.edu
Source: Tiffany Ireland, tireland@flmnh.ufl.edu, 352-273-2061
Media Contact: Paul Ramey, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu, 352-273-2054