Info on Sharks:

Hammerhead shark from National Geographic sight address is http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/photos/sharks/#/galapagos-shark_6449_600x450.jpg

 

On Sharks

     It is true that many people are terrified of sharks. Could anything be more terrifying than a Shark swimming towards you or someone else with mouth open and teeth exposed.  A shark will usually posture when preparing to attack. Anyone who goes to the movies sees a shark as an aggressor which many different types of them are. There sole purpose is to seek out and destroy. Scientifically this idea is flawed.

     There are many different kinds of sharks, and most of these are harmless to people. They share a lot of different characteristics. They are different sizes, live in different places, and have varied diets. A Whale Shark is a filter feeding shark, and its mouth is in the front instead of underneath. The size and type of their teeth has evolved to help them catch their prey.  Some sharks have long spiked teeth for catching small, fast fish. Others have serrated teeth for cutting chunks of flesh from larger prey. They can also have broad flat teeth for crushing shells. They have many rows of teeth, and if a tooth is lost another tooth moves forward to replace it. (Life in the Sea-pg 147-150) Sharks have paired fins, placoid scales, 5-7 exposed and lateral gill slits, and they are usually marine. There skeleton is cartilaginous, and they have teeth in jaws to capture prey or gill rakers to filter plankton. In reproduction they can be oviparous, ovoviviparous, or viviparous.

     The Great White Shark is considered the most dangerous to humans. The Tiger and Bull Sharks are also considered among the most dangerous to humans. Our book says there are 25 species of sharks that have been known to attack humans, and 12 more are suspected of it.

     Australia rates second in global shark attacks, and is the highest in fatal attacks. Western Australia has the highest rate. According to a chart in Wikipedia the United States has the most attacks with fewer fatalities. The size of the bite depends on the size of the shark. A shark bite is something to be avoided at all cost. They have very large mouths, and many rows of teeth with powerful jaws. They bite, and hang on; then they shake their head from side to side crushing bones and tearing flesh. Not a thing that anyone wants to experience.

     They usually feed at night when the fish are more active, so it is wise not to swim at night. One should do all that is possible to decrease the chance of a shark attack. Any place that has seals and sea lions will attract sharks, so wisdom would be to avoid these areas.  Our book suggests leaving the water if you see fish appear in large numbers, acting erratically. Don’t become fascinated by with the phenomenon just head for shore with as little splashing as possible.

     Humans are a greater threat to sharks than sharks are to humans. Senseless and cruel hunting is done. We need to be aware of the value of each specie to the environment, and do what we can to protect them.