Shark Information
Every since the movie Jaws came about in the late 1970’s sharks have gotten a bad rap. They also become a media sensation when they attack someone in the ocean. Yet what people need to understand is that sharks are natives to the water. They are looking for food and a person can often look like a type of fish to them in the water. Most researchers don’t think sharks attack intentionally due to feeling threatened or to cause harm.
Basic Features of Sharks
Sharks are often lumped together with other forms of water creatures including whales and dolphins. There are some distinct features of sharks though that separate them from these are species of aquatic life. There are many different species of sharks as well but they all have some basic features in common.
It may surprise you to learn that sharks don’t have bones. Instead they have cartilage that creates their skeleton. It is this fact that makes sharks able to easily move about in the water as the cartilage doesn’t weigh very much at all. Due to the fact that they don’t have bones there is a different feel to a shark then you might imagine.
They have scales that allow them to glide effortlessly through the water regardless of the hundreds of pounds that they can weigh. The scales help to keep the water from causing too much friction on the body. Whales and dolphins have blow holes on the top of them and they must surface to breath. Sharks don’t need to because they are able to breathe the oxygen that dissolves in the water.
They take the water in through their mouth and it is transported to the gills. There are slits located on the back of the head of a shark. You have to look very closely to see them though. The gills filter the dissolved oxygen out of the water. The oxygen is then taken into the blood stream of the shark. The remaining water exits from those slits.
Male sharks have grooved organs called claspers that they are able to transmit sperm to the female from. They don’t have a penis as many people assume. There are two of them on each male but only one is used each time that intercourse is taking place. They alternate between the two each time.
Teeth
Sharks have very shark teeth that they use to eat as well as for protection from enemies when they need to. The size and the design of the teeth will vary depending on the species of shark you are looking at. Yet they all have very strong and very sharp teeth. Those that consume larger fish in the ocean have serrated teeth that will not only allow them to eat through meat but also through bones as well.
Sharks have very shark teeth that they use to eat as well as for protection from enemies when they need to. The size and the design of the teeth will vary depending on the species of shark you are looking at. Yet they all have very strong and very sharp teeth. Those that consume larger fish in the ocean have serrated teeth that will not only allow them to eat through meat but also through bones as well.
Fins
All sharks have fins on the sides of their bodies. There are two sets and they are symmetrical which means they are identical on both sides of the body. A shark is able to manipulate their fins so that different angles can be achieved. This is what allows them to have the immense speed they demonstrate in the water when they need to.
You will notice smaller types of fins on their body as well. The dorsal fin is on top of the shark about mid way down. Some species of sharks have two dorsal fins. You will also notice what is called an anal fin underneath the shark. All of these fins work to help a shark maintain balance.
Learning More
There is a great deal of information out there to be learned about sharks. Instead of being something feared in the water they are actually quite fascinating. There are many websites out there that will help you to understand the basics of sharks. They offer plenty of information, proven facts, and even pictures. From there you can decide to research specific types of sharks should you have an interest to do so.
There is a great deal of information out there to be learned about sharks. Instead of being something feared in the water they are actually quite fascinating. There are many websites out there that will help you to understand the basics of sharks. They offer plenty of information, proven facts, and even pictures. From there you can decide to research specific types of sharks should you have an interest to do so.
Read more Facts about Sharks
Comments
Write New Comment ▼
Write New Comment
Sorry! This knol's owner(s) have blocked you from editing, making suggestions, or commenting here.