Shark Facts

Sharks are the biggest fish in the ocean, and they’re in the family of the Chondrichthyes. Their fossil record is more than 300 million years old, even older than dinosaurs. There are 500 different shark species, and researchers think there might be more.

Shark Facts for Kids

• Whale sharks are the biggest sharks.
• They swim at 5 miles per hour.
• Sharks are cold-blooded.
• A shark lives 20 to 30 years in the wild.
• Their young are known as pups.
• White sharks are the only sharks with a head above the water.
• Sharks have lateral lines on their bodies that allow them to feel vibrations.
• Their skin is very rough and covered with sharp scales.
• In some species, sharks can have up to 100 babies at a time.
• Sharks’ brains are two-thirds dedicated to smell.

Types of Sharks

Great White shark

The great white shark, also known as the white shark, white pointer, or simply great white, is a species of large mackerel shark that can be found in the coastal surface waters of all the major oceans.

It’s the world’s largest-known extant macropredatory fish and is known to prey upon various marine animals, including fish and seabirds.

Even a single drop of blood can be detected in the water nearby.  

Bull Shark

The bull shark is a requiem shark commonly found worldwide in warm, shallow waters along coasts and rivers.

Bull sharks can survive in both salt and fresh water and can travel up rivers. They are probably responsible for many near-shore shark attacks.

Female bull sharks are bigger than male bull sharks. They can be up to 4.0 m (13 ft) long and have a bite force up to 5,914 newtons (1,330 lbf).

Blue Sharks

The blue shark is a species of requiem shark that lives in deep waters and migrates from New England to South America.

They are viviparous and can live up to 20 years.

Blue sharks are light-bodied with long pectoral fins. They can grow to a length of 3.8 m (12 ft) and weigh between 27 and 55 kg (60 and 121 lb), with the largest specimen weighing over 204 kg (450 lb).

Hammerhead Shark

The hammerhead shark’s head is flattened and laterally extended into a “hammer” shape, which gives it superior binocular vision and depth perception.

They are found worldwide in warmer waters along coastlines and continental shelves. They usually swim in schools during the day, becoming solitary hunters at night.

Hammerhead sharks are usually light gray and have a greenish tint. They can be found in warm, tropical waters, but during the summer, they participate in a mass migration to search for cooler waters.

How many species of sharks are there?

There are more than 500 species of sharks, and this number is constantly growing as new species are discovered. Sharks come in all shapes and sizes and can be found in all sorts of environments, including the ocean, rivers, and lakes.

Despite their often bad reputation, sharks play a very important role in our ocean’s ecosystems. They help keep the populations of other fish under control.

Unfortunately, many different types of fishing gear accidentally catch sharks. For example, when fishermen use nets to catch fish, they also tend to catch sharks by accident.

These sharks will then be discarded after being caught by accident- which is why it’s so important for us to use sustainable fishing practices that don’t target them specifically.

Sharks are threatened primarily by overfishing and fishing activities that do not target them specifically. In fact, many shark populations worldwide have declined significantly over the past few decades due to unsustainable fishing practices.

This is particularly true for sharks in the North Atlantic Ocean their numbers have decreased by more than 50% over the past two decades!

What is the biggest shark?

The biggest shark is the whale shark. It can grow to 18 meters (60 feet).

What is the smallest shark?

The smallest shark is the Dwarf Lantern Shark, measuring only 8 inches long. This little guy is found in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. He’s a bottom-feeder that eats crustaceans, mollusks, and fish.

What is the most dangerous shark?

According to many experts, bull sharks are the deadliest sharks in the world because of their characteristics. 

Their more famous cousins, great whites and tiger sharks, are the three sharks that most are likely to attack humans.

How long do sharks live?

There are many different types of sharks, and they all have different life spans. Some sharks can live for more than 70 years, while others only live for a few years.

Sharks are unique in that they have a cartilage skeleton instead of bones. This makes them lighter and faster in the water, but it also means that their skeletons don’t fossilize as easily, so we don’t know exactly how long most sharks live.

What do sharks eat?

There are a lot of different types of sharks, so their eating habits are different. Sharks are mostly carnivorous and excellent predators, although some feed on plankton.

Sharks eat whatever they can get, but most of them eat small fish and invertebrates. Sharks can eat seals, sea lions, and other marine mammals.

How do sharks hunt?

Sharks have two additional senses that help them hunt prey:

• Pressure sense
• Lateral line sense

Sharks use their lateral line to sense movement in the water, which helps them hide from predators and navigate. The lateral line is a set of sensors down each side of the body that pick up vibrations in the water.

This lets sharks know when they are near something – whether it’s another shark, a prey animal, or even a boat!

They also have an amazing electroreception system. This means they can detect electrical fields given off by potential prey items. This makes it easier for them to pinpoint exactly where their prey is – even if it’s hiding under sand or coral!

What is the life cycle of a shark?

There are many different life cycles of a shark, but all sharks go through some similar changes as they grow older. Most sharks reach sexual maturity between the ages of 6 and 12 years old and give birth to live young.

The gestation period for most sharks is around 9-12 months, after which the mother gives birth to 1-15 pups.

Sharks can have up to 7 young at a time, but most species only have 2-4 offspring per litter. Shark pups are born fully developed and are able to fend for themselves from the moment they enter the world.

Some baby sharks even cannibalize their siblings right after they’re born in order to increase their chances of survival!

The lifespan of a shark is at least 70 years, but it depends on the species. Some sharks can live up to 80 years or more, while others only survive for a dozen or so years.

How do humans interact with sharks?

We must limit human contact with sharks. The majority of people consider these animals to be meat-eating creatures. However, they are in danger due to overfishing and the destruction of their habitats.

Sharks are also alarmed by shark tourism, which has physical and psychological effects

The false beliefs about them and the reduction in their population are largely caused by humans. Sharks taught us some theoretical knowledge. Studies on how their body works have helped us understand health and well-being.

Sharks and humans do not have to have a bad relationship. As this relationship develops, more accurate information about sharks’ lives and conditions will be necessary, as well as the respect of sharks as any other important species.

What threats do sharks face?

Overfishing

Overfishing is the greatest threat to sharks. Millions of sharks are caught every year. They’re used to make shark products. They play a vital role in marine ecosystems. As shark populations decline rapidly worldwide, so does the condition of the oceans.

Demand for Shark Products

Shark meat & fins – Shark fin demand has declined. Despite this, the global shark meat trade is on the rise. This likely outpaces the demand for fins, which are mostly exported to Asia.

Shark liver oil – A surprising number of products contain this, including moisturizers, deodorants, and sun tan lotions. Additionally, it is in some vaccines and pills. 

Shark leather – For decades, shark skin has been used to make leather. Japan, the United States, and northern Europe are big fans. The leather is used to make luxury items like wallets, shoe handbags, watch straps, and furniture.