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Crabs belong to a group of animals called "decapods", literally ten-legged crustaceans which include other ocean dwellers like shrimp, prawns, crayfish and lobsters. Because of the diversity of the decapods, the word "crab" is often used to describe animals that have a similar appearance but are not closely related (similar to the situation with eels). True crabs, belonging to the infraorder Brachyura (meaning "short tailed" - yup we don't get it either) - a family with more than 7 000 species! That means crabs have a greater species diversity than us mammals do.

Making a contribution for a good cause doesn't have to cost you anything. Now you can help make environmental education accessible to children in Cape Town's communities and support active conservation and welfare of vulnerable marine life, like Cape fur seals and endangered turtles, in our waters - simply swiping your MySchool | MyVillage | MyPlanet card with your purchase can help us continue to make a real difference.

Scuba diving, whether you are a complete newcomer, learning to dive for the first time or an experienced scuba pro who has been doing this for years is a vastly different experience at the Two Oceans Aquarium from anything you may have done before. Explore the world of our ocean animals from their point of view - experience what it is like to enter their underwater habitat.

Become everyone’s favourite teacher with a visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium! Getting out of the traditional classroom and visiting the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation's Discovery Centre is a great way to augment the learning experience. The Education Foundation wants to make it easier for you by offering a "Back to School" special: Book an educational activity and visit the Aquarium for just R55 per child!

The most fulfilling part of rescuing and rehabilitating sea turtles at the Two Oceans Aquarium is, of course, their release back into the ocean when they are fully recovered. Thanks to modern satellite tracking technology and the collaboration of government, Aquariums and generous donors are able to follow the journeys of some of our releases turtles closely - and provide you with their inspiring ocean adventure stories. Let's take a closer look at their travels.

At the Two Oceans Aquarium, we believe that a "close encounter" is when you become so close to an animal, that a connection is formed - one where you can experience a little bit of what it is like to be that animal, live in its alien ocean world and can learn to empathise with it and its fellow sea creatures. Here in Cape Town, we offer you the opportunity to experience close encounters of the animal kind - there is no better way to surround yourself with the wonder and mystery of South Africa's underwater world.

Now you can get up close to the Two Oceans Aquarium's shiver of ragged-tooth sharks, swim among the schools of yellowtail and giant kob, and learn about the awesome predators that inhabit the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Exhibit.

We're all been there. You get up in the middle of the night to pee and stub your toes on literally everything. Fish might not have toes, but navigating in darkness is still a challenge they need to deal with.Despite the apparent difficulties of living in darkness, life flourishes in the ocean’s shadows. Fish that dwell in the caves, under ledges and behind rocks are no less wonderous than the bright and colourful species that roam the reefs by day. But to survive the daylight, and thrive at night, small nocturnal fish need some special adaptations...

It's no secret - our octopus is by far the most intelligent animal at the Two Oceans Aquarium. The common octopus in the Skretting Diversity Gallery is also the most mysterious, alien and otherworldly creature here - one that is so elusive you might miss it completely on your first glance. But, if you are on the lookout, here are five amazing things you can catch our octopus doing:

Plastic pollution causes great harm to the organisms big and small that encounter it. From tiny corals to majestic whales, more than 700 marine species are known to be killed either by the ingestion of plastic or entanglement - resulting in millions of animal deaths a year, that we know of.

Marine plastic debris is one of the most pressing environmental concerns facing the world today. Animal entanglement, microplastic ingestion, bioaccumulation of toxins, endocrine system disruption in humans - these are just a few of the devastating effects that plastic pollution has on us and the environment. Our oceans are choking.

The Two Oceans Aquarium has one special resident living in the Penguin Exhibit - the only bird here that can fly! Rita is an old seabird with an amazing life story - why is this "odd bird out" at the Aquarium. Here's her incredible story...