facts about sharks
Facts About Sharks
Did you know that sharks have a sensory organ called the 'ampullae of Lorenzini', which they use to feel the electrical field coming from its prey? Well, there are many interesting facts about sharks that you might have missed all this while.
Sharks have been in existence since more than 300 million years, which is even before dinosaurs. These mysterious creatures of the deep have always been surrounded by mystery, awe, superstitions, and myth. Shark tales have also been doing the rounds ever since we can remember ... right?
Intriguing Facts About the Rulers of the Sea
- » Sharks belong to Chondrichhye class of fish.
- » About 350 different kinds of sharks are already known to mankind, but researchers are of the opinion that there are others that have not been discovered as yet.
- » A shark has two dorsal fins on its back and one each beneath its body (pectoral fin) and on the tail (caudal fin). It's worth noting that some species lack the pectoral fin.
- » They do not have a single bone in their body. Instead, they have a skeleton made of cartilage.
- » Most sharks live for about 25 years, but some of them can live for 100 years.
- » Sharks take great care of themselves, and are strong and healthy creatures.
- » Not all species are required to be in continuous motion to breathe.
- » A shark's teeth are usually replaced every eight days. Some species shed about 30,000 teeth in their lifetime.
- » They do not sleep in the same way as humans. Even if they seem to be sleeping, they are not. Instead, they are just resting.
- » They are considered one of the best hunters in the world. Their little pups go out to look for food too.
- » Their skin is covered by small, razor-sharp structures called denticles. These can be removed from their body. Once removed, the remaining skin is made into strong leather.
- » Some sharks lay eggs, while most of them give birth to babies. The hammerhead and tiger sharks can have as many as 40 babies at a time, while the others can have 6 to 12.
- » Most kinds can swim up to 20 - 40 miles per hour. The shortfin mako shark is known to clock a speed of 60 miles per hour.
- » One good meal is enough to satisfy a shark's hunger. The meal can last for a long period, because it uses very little energy to swim.
- » Out of all the people it attacks, more than 90 percent survive.
- » In the past, dried shark skin known as shagreen, was used as sandpaper. In countries like Japan and Germany, the skin was used on sword handles to get a good grip.
- » Until 1950, sharks were hunted for Vitamin A. It only stopped after a synthesizing method for the same, was developed.
- » The whale shark is considered the largest fish in the world. It weighs about 90,000 lb.
- » The basking shark is the second largest, measuring about 40 feet in length.
- » Bull sharks are able to bear a wide range of salinity. They are found in freshwater rivers and lakes in South America and Africa.
- » The pygmy shark is about 11 inches in length, while the dwarf shark is as tiny as you hand.
- » Dogfish sharks are so named because they attack their prey like a pack of wild dogs.
- » Modern sharks have more biting force because of their protrusible jaw.
- » Great white sharks can grow about 10 inches every year, eventually reaching a length of 12 to 14 feet at full growth.