Shark Facts

Here are some shark facts for you. Did you know sharks, skates, and rays are collectively termed Elasmobranchs a subclass of Chondrichthyes, or the cartilaginous fishes? Did you know they have a skeleton made entirely of cartilage rather than bone as in other fishes?

In general, this group is slow growing, late maturing, and produce few young compared to other fishes. These characteristics make them especially vulnerable to exploitation by humans.

Sharks have a streamlined body, 5 to 7 pairs of gill slits depending on the species, and skin covered in small scales called dermal denticles which make the skin feel rough and sandpaper-like. They do not have a swim bladder for buoyancy like other fish but have a large oil-filled liver.

They also possess a lateral line, a sensory organ comprised of a narrow line of sensory cells that runs the length of the body and into the head. Some pelagic (open ocean) species do not have spiracles and rely on actively swimming to move water over their gills in order to obtain oxygen from the surrounding water.

Skates and rays have pectoral fins that are enlarged to form “wings” that propel them through the water and have flattened bodies which help them to feed on the bottom. They are mainly bottom-dwelling with the exception of eagle and Manta rays. Worldwide there are more than 1,100 species of sharks, skates, and rays.

are more than 1,100 species of sharks, skates, and rays.

Shark Facts: Whale Shark

Whale sharks are the largest fish on the planet. These gentle giants are filter-feeders and are harmless to humans. The enormous whale shark, which can reach lengths of 40 feet or more, feeds on the tiniest of ocean organisms, plankton.

Whale sharks are striking in their appearance not only for their size but also for their unique pattern of spots and bars covering its gray body. The whale shark is popular with eco-tourists hoping to snorkel alongside these gentle giants. Learn more about whale sharks.

Shark Facts: Manta Ray

The manta ray is striking in its appearance with its black and white coloration and enormous size. The wingspan of a manta can reach 20 or more feet across and they weigh as much as 3,000 pounds. The manta, unlike other rays, does not have a spine on its tail for defense.

The manta is a filter-feeder, combing the waters for the smallest of prey, using their cephalic fins to channel water into their mouths. Mantas are found globally in temperate and tropical waters. Learn more about manta rays.

Shark Facts: Hammerhead Shark

There are nine species of hammerhead sharks worldwide. The hammerhead with its strangely shaped head is somewhat of a mystery although scientists have recently discovered that the odd shape improves their vision, making them excellent hunters.

The Great Hammerhead, the largest of the hammerheads, can reach a length of 25 feet, almost the size of a Great White shark. Hammerheads are known for their schooling behavior and consume a variety of prey including rays, other sharks, fish, squid, and crustaceans. Learn more about hammerhead sharks.

Famous quotes about sharks:

I believe implicitly that every young man in the world is fascinated with either sharks or dinosaurs. – Peter Benchley
Sharks are beautiful animals, and if you’re lucky enough to see lots of them, that means that you’re in a healthy ocean. You should be afraid if you are in the ocean and don’t see sharks. – Sylvia Earle
Remove the predators, and the whole ecosystem begins to crash like a house of cards. As the sharks disappear, the predator-prey balance dramatically shifts, and the health of our oceans declines. – Brian Skerry
French fries kill more people than guns and sharks, yet nobody’s afraid of French fries. – Robert Kiyosaki
The shark is the apex predator in the sea. Sharks have molded evolution for 450 million years. All fish species that are prey to the sharks have had their behavior, their speed, their camouflage, their defense mechanisms molded by the shark. – Paul Watson