Facts on shark

April 09, 2021

Facts on shark

Hi! readers. Today's post is about sharks. There are hundreds of species of sharks in the world, and they have been around since before the dinosaurs. They are some of the most amazing animals on the planet. So Here are 20 Little-Known Shark Facts

Sharks come in all shapes and sizes, from the tiny lantern sharks, which are about the size of your hand, to giant whale sharks, which are about the same size as a bus.
Many sharks lay eggs, but some give birth to live young, just like we do. Shark pregnancies can last from a few months to well over a couple of years. That’s longer than whales or elephants!
Greenland sharks, which live in cold polar waters, hold the record as the oldest known vertebrate animals on the planet. Since they are estimated to live as long as 500 years
Mako sharks hold the record for being the most athletic sharks, reaching swimming speeds of over 40 miles per hour! They are also known to have jumped as much as 30 feet out of the water.
The world’s biggest sharks also have the widest mouths and eat only tiny ocean plankton, just like the largest whales.
Carpet sharks live on the ocean floor and have elaborate patterns to blend in with perfect camouflage. The Tasseled Wobbegong shark takes this to the extreme, with a fringe of feathery ‘tassels’ around its body.
Epaulette sharks have developed a cunning ability to hold their breath and walk over rocks and land using their fins and tail.
It’s dark in the deep sea, so tiny lantern sharks have developed their own way to glow in the dark. It’s not yet known if this is to find food, find each other, or help avoid being eaten!
Hammerhead sharks elongated heads not only give them super sense when it comes to electromagnetic detection, but they also have almost 360-degree surround vision.
When sharks are turned upside down, they go into a natural suspended state called tonic immobility
Sharks don't have bones
Most sharks can see well in dark lighted areas, have fantastic night vision, and can see colors. The back of sharks’ eyeballs have a reflective layer of tissue called a tapetum. This helps sharks see extremely well with little light.
Shark skin feels exactly like sandpaper because it is made up of tiny teeth-like structures called placoid scales, also known as dermal denticles.
Scientists age sharks by counting the rings on their vertebrae.
Each whale shark’s spot pattern is unique as a fingerprint.
Some species of sharks have a spiracle that allows them to pull water into their respiratory system while at rest. Most sharks have to keep swimming to pump water over their gills.
Sharks grow up to 50,000 teeth in a lifetime
The scales of sharks point towards the tail and help reduce friction from surrounding water when the shark swims.
Sharks do not have vocal chords and do not use audible sounds to communicate anger or other emotions. Instead, they express themselves physically.
Shark attacks, and death, in particular, are probably much rarer than you think. Some species of sharks, like the whale shark and the basking shark, don’t pose a threat to humans at all, despite looking pretty menacing. Even the species of sharks responsible for the most attacks on humans (bull sharks, tiger sharks, and white sharks) don’t actively seek to eat humans. They prefer the taste of fish and seals and can actually find humans difficult to digest. On average, sharks are responsible for six human deaths a year.