SHARKS 101: all the knowledge of sharks you should know!
Shark anatomy
Sharks are a very complex species with a number of differences from species to species. All sharks have eyes, spiracles, a snout, nostrils, mouth, gill slits, pectoral fins, pelvic fins, dorsal fins, and a caudal fin. Some sharks may have a second dorsal fin and some sharks may have an anal fin. Male sharks will have a pair of claspers for reproductive purposes. Breathing Sharks have between 5-7 gill slits on each side of their head. As the shark is swimming water passes through the gills, and oxygen is absorbed. Some sharks open their mouth to take in water and push it through their gills to obtain oxygen. Open ocean sharks rely on constant motion to keep oxygen flow to their gills. Bottom dwelling sharks that are stationary for long periods of time use their spiracle to obtain oxygen and then thrust the water out through their gills. Reproduction Sharks reproduce sexually, with one female and one male. The male has claspers, which he uses to fertilize the female. Once the female has fertilized eggs the shark will begin to develop. Sharks can be Oviparous, Ovoviviparous, and Viviparous. Oviparous sharks lay egg cases, which are also called "Mermaid's Purse". Ovoviviparous sharks have the egg forming inside of the mother, then the pups are born alive. Viviparous sharks give live birth. Shark Predation Not all Sharks are the JAWS type with giant jaws and massive bodies, sharks are vastly different, and their method of catching food changes as well. Basking sharks use filter feeding as a way to get food. They strain plankton from the water flowing over them and also catch small fish, shrimps, krill and other plankton consuming organisms. Some sharks are bottom dwelling ambush sharks, like the Wobbegong shark. They bury them selves under the sand and when a fish swims by, the suck it into their mouths. Ampullae de Lorenzini Sharks have a special organ at the tip of their nose called the Ampullae of Lorenzini. This is a special sense that sharks have to sense the electromagnetic field. The Ampullae are near the nostrils on the underside of the snout. Sharks typically have thousands of small little pores that are connected to nerves under the skin. When the water is murky or dark, sharks can use this sense to locate prey Denticles Another special adaption sharks have are their denticles. Instead of having scales like a fish a shark has denticles. Denticles are tiny , flat, V-shaped scales that cover the exterior of the shark. Denticles are more like tiny teeth rather than scales. The denticles reduce drag and turbulence, allowing the shark to swim faster and quieter. Coming soon: fins sleep behavior |
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