# I'm looking for a five-foot plastic shark... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 16, 2006, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-five-foot-plastic-shark/340170 "2006-01-16T00:50:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cosmosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cosmosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cosmosis)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-five-foot-plastic-shark/340170/1 "2006-01-16T00:50:58Z")
A friend of mine has expressed a desire for a plastic shark, about five feet in length, with which to decorate her basement window with an aquarium theme. No, really. She’s serious about this. However, where would I obtain such a shark? My instincts point to American Science & Surplus or possibly Archie McPhee, but I’m not sure if they’ll have it. If you know anywhere else to purchase\* a five-foot plastic shark, let me know. Bonus points if it also sells other kinds of plastic fish. \*This appears to be the only feasible option for procuring a five-foot plastic shark, as its natural habitat is remote and my previous experiences with captive breeding have been unsuccessful. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-five-foot-plastic-shark/340170/2 "2006-01-16T01:09:52Z")
You might find such a thing at [Archie McPhee’s](http://www.mcphee.com/) They have stuff I couldn’t dream up. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-five-foot-plastic-shark/340170/3 "2006-01-16T01:15:16Z")
I found [this](http://www.thebigzoo.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=7857), but it’s only 33" long. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-five-foot-plastic-shark/340170/4 "2006-01-16T01:16:41Z")
Most sharks _don’t have_ feet…they have fins. Does that help? 😉 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ashes\_Ashes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/db5fbb/32.png) [@Ashes\_Ashes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashes_Ashes)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-five-foot-plastic-shark/340170/5 "2006-01-16T01:23:59Z")
[Nautical Home](http://www.nauticalhome.com) has sharks and other fishies. They’re suprisingly expensive though. Maybe SeaWorld has some old stuffed fish they don’t want any more? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-five-foot-plastic-shark/340170/6 "2006-01-16T01:36:40Z")
Google “inflatable shark”, first result: [http://www.islandmadness.com/inflatable5.html](http://www.islandmadness.com/inflatable5.html) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-five-foot-plastic-shark/340170/7 "2006-01-16T01:40:48Z")
Oh, sorry, I though you were specifically looking for an inflatable 5’ shark. That’s the way to go for something that big. ---
**Author:** ![Cosmosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cosmosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cosmosis)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-five-foot-plastic-shark/340170/8 "2006-01-16T01:53:45Z")
An inflatable shark would be fine. I think Luke’s link is the best as it’s 5’, plastic, a shark, and inexpensive. ---
**Author:** ![peri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/67e7ee/32.png) [@peri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peri)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-five-foot-plastic-shark/340170/9 "2006-01-16T02:58:33Z")
How about a [3 and a half foot plush shark](http://www.thebigzoo.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=9538)? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-five-foot-plastic-shark/340170/10 "2006-01-16T03:00:11Z")
“You’re gonna need a bigger shark.” ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-five-foot-plastic-shark/340170/11 "2006-01-16T07:34:44Z")
Here’s a [5’ inflatable,](http://storeforknowledge.com/Large-Inflatable-Shark-Toy-P5143C240.aspx) it might be the same as **Lute Skywatcher** ’s. here’s a smaller [46" one](http://www.partypalooza.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=InflShark46) And last here’s [a plush one](http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRAND-NEW-ENORMOUS-HUGE-BIG-SHARK-FISH-CUDDLY-TOY_W0QQitemZ6023332141QQcategoryZ230QQcmdZViewItem) on E Bay that looks about 5" (pictured on a bed). ---
**Author:** ![Large\_Marge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/50afbb/32.png) [@Large\_Marge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Large_Marge)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-five-foot-plastic-shark/340170/12 "2006-01-16T08:16:12Z")
Here’s one on [ebay](http://cgi.ebay.com/Bruce-the-Shark-Finding-Nemo-Inflatable-Toy-Keebler_W0QQitemZ6029659908QQcategoryZ50310QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) that is 54" long. There were about 10 more when I searched for “inflatable shark.” ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-five-foot-plastic-shark/340170/13 "2006-01-16T13:26:18Z")
Many swimming pool stores sell large inflatable fish year round. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-five-foot-plastic-shark/340170/14 "2006-01-16T13:40:40Z")
Knock on the door of [this house](http://www.headington.org.uk/pics/general/shark_big.jpg) and say “can I have my shark back please, mister?” ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-five-foot-plastic-shark/340170/15 "2006-01-16T14:35:53Z")
I _really_ want to know the story behind that photo. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-five-foot-plastic-shark/340170/16 "2006-01-16T14:40:05Z")
> [@DeadlyAccurate](#): > > I _really_ want to know the story behind that photo. [My pleasure](http://www.headington.org.uk/history/misc/shark.htm). It’s about two miles from my house. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-five-foot-plastic-shark/340170/17 "2006-01-16T14:40:43Z")
You beat me to it, **jjimm** , dammit ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-five-foot-plastic-shark/340170/18 "2006-01-16T14:59:26Z")
\ “who’s there?” “plumber” \ “who’s there?” “land shark” Perhaps you could try captive breeding again–this time, use the bath tub. This amateurs, trying to get 5 ft creatures using the kitchen sink…\. I LOVE the Headington shark! I don’t quite get the artist’s message re Nagasaki et al, but as a piece of kitschy surealism, I love it! If he wanted to really do it up, he could string Christmas lights on it…hey, there’s an idea! \ I swear, ONLY in England–ONLY in England. (why I like UK so much) ---
**Author:** ![Hokkaido\_Brit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d26b3c/32.png) [@Hokkaido\_Brit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hokkaido_Brit)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-five-foot-plastic-shark/340170/19 "2006-01-16T15:11:17Z")
> [@DeadlyAccurate](#): > > I _really_ want to know the story behind that photo. Now that jjimm has answered that, I will merely say, “I used to go past that house every driving lesson I ever took.” Very nostalgic and the first thing I thought of when I read the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Roboto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@Mr.Roboto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Roboto)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-five-foot-plastic-shark/340170/20 "2006-01-16T16:59:32Z")
Here in So. Cal., There are several artists that sell Fish & Birds right out of their garages. There is also an artist who sells his crafts from a Van stopped at various points on P.C.H. (Pacific Coast Highway) you can custom order your shark with desired paint scheme. These artist may be listed in the yellow pages. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-looking-for-a-five-foot-plastic-shark/340170.md?page=2)