SHARK FACTS

Dive in and learn all about sharks! You can watch our JAWsome shark videos on YouTube!

Sharks belong to the class Chondrichthyes, or cartilaginous fishes. Unlike bony fish, sharks have skeletons made of cartilage—the same flexible material in your nose and ears. They have unique skin covered in tiny tooth-like scales called dermal denticles, which help them swim faster and more efficiently. They have 5, 6, or 7 gill slits on the side of their head. Sharks also have multiple rows of teeth that are constantly replaced, and instead of a swim bladder, they rely on their large, oil-filled livers to stay buoyant. With incredible senses like electroreception to detect prey and a keen sense of smell, sharks are perfectly designed predators of the sea! When people think of a shark, they usually have one image - the great white - a shark with a large dorsal fin protruding from the water, a torpedo-shaped body, and giant teeth.

More than 500 species of shark currently exist, all varying in size and appearance. Dive into our fact pages (below) and learn more about these fascinating animals!

ANATOMY

From their fins to their teeth, sharks are built for life in the ocean. Learn more about their anatomy and how it helps them survive underwater.

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SHARK SENSES

Sharks have the same 5 senses we do, but they can also detect pressure changes and electrical currents. Learn more about their super senses.

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REPRODUCTION

Sharks have three main methods of reproduction. They have long pregnancies (gestation periods) and regardless of method, they do not produce a lot of babies (offspring).

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ADAPTATIONS

How do we use photos and videos to learn about sharks? To protect them?

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THREATS

According to the IUCN, over 1/3 of sharks and rays are threatened with extinction. It is estimated that 100 million sharks are killed each year globally. Why are sharks in so much trouble?

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