The Dorsal Fin

USA Today reports that a publicity photographer was injured on the set of “Shark Night 3D” when he was accidentally bitten by an animatronic great white shark featuring a set of real white shark teeth (as seen in the video above). The 12-foot mechanical shark, created by Oscar-winning special-effects Walt Conti, has a full set of white shark teeth that were acquired from the California Academy of Sciences. The shark weighs 1,000lbs and requires two remote operators to control it.

In addition to the mechanical white shark, a 13-foot animatronic hammerhead shark used in the film was also equipped with a full set of genuine shark teeth. Actor Sinqua Walls told USA Today that he cut his hands on the hammerhead shark while filming a fight scene with it.

YouTube user AnimatedExtras1 posted this raw-footage of an animatronic great white shark in action underwater. No other details were given in the video description about what this animatronic shark was designed for, but it’s certainly an impressive effort, IMO.

As far as “practical effects” white sharks go, this one puts old Bruce to shame in terms of looking like an actual great white shark.

Shark HQ is now open at Australia’s Sydney Aquarium. The exhibit features various shark-themed displays and activities, including:

• tracking of great white sharks and bull sharks
• a shark hatchery and nursery with shark eggs and baby sharks on display
• shark tunnels which allow visitor to walk “underwater” with sharks
• Q&A sessions with shark experts
• “swim with sharks” demonstrations
• an animatronic great white shark

The animatronic great white shark can be seen in action in the video clip below. According to the news clip the animatronic shark measures 7.4m in length. (Please ignore the obligatory references to “Jaws” in the video clip.)