Sharks by Cheung Pak Yin

Sharks are fascinating animals known for their sharp teeth. There are approximately 557 species of sharks in the world, including great white sharks, blue sharks, basking sharks, and many more! They can live for 20 to 30 years.

Sharks possess various anatomical features, such as fins, gills, eyes, a tail, a dorsal fin, jaws, and teeth. They have five to seven gills on the sides of their bodies, which help them breathe. The skin of sharks feels like sandpaper due to small, rough placoid scales, which keeps their skin dry. Unlike many animals, sharks can either lay eggs or give live birth.

The largest recorded shark is the whale shark, measuring 13.7 meters (45 feet) long. In contrast, midwater sharks are among the smallest, measuring only 22 to 25 centimeters.

Did you know? Sharks do not have bones! Instead, their skeletons are made of cartilage, which makes them lighter and more flexible. Most sharks also have excellent eyesight.

Sharks are among the most common ocean animals and sit at the top of the food chain. They primarily eat fish, crustaceans, mollusks, marine mammals, and, surprisingly, other sharks. This means they prey on fish and larger sea mammals, such as otters.

Most sharks don’t eat people, as they often mistake us for their usual prey. However, due to human activities, shark populations are declining. It is crucial to protect sharks. We should avoid consuming shark products and refrain from polluting the ocean to ensure their survival.