Sharks are considered as fish because their characteristics are like those of fish. Sharks have been there for a long time some 420 million years ago. Sharks are found in deep seas and they range from the smallest to the largest. The whale shark is the largest fish in the world and it is 12 metres long. Although sharks are not to be found in fresh waters, the bull shark and the river sharks are the only sharks found there. they can either be in freshwater and seawater. the cover of their skin makes them be safe from attacks by parasite and any damage. they have many sets of teeth that can be replaced. Human activities pose a great danger to their lives.
10. Humans are a threat to sharks
In the interesting top ten facts about sharks, Humans are a threat to sharks is position 10. Looking at sharks, you would think that they are a danger to our lives yet it is the human who is a danger to their life through overfishing. Humans tend to value the shark fin so much to an extent that the fin is chopped off and the shark is thrown back to the water. This act is rather barbaric. Something should be done to stop this.
9. Sharks are not vicious man-eaters
In the interesting top ten facts about sharks, sharks are not vicious man-eaters is position 9. Sharks are not man eaters and there is a bad misconception that they are. not all sharks are a danger to mankind but just a few. Sharks are predators and that is not to say that they should be killed aimlessly. Proper caution should be maintained.
8. Sharks are long-lived species
In the interesting top ten facts about sharks, Sharks are long-lived species is position 8. sharks have a long life line.they live for almost 150 years depending on the age. the older the shark, the longer it will live. Smaller shark’s life span is short. they can live for 30 years.
7. Some sharks lay eggs, others give birth to live young
In the interesting top ten facts about sharks, Some sharks lay eggs, others give birth to live young is position 7. Sharks do have a disparity when it comes to giving birth. There are those that give birth to young ones while others lay eggs and the eggs hatch to young ones. Some sharks have a placenta likehumans while others do not. All sharks reproduce using internal fertilization. The male sharks grabs the female shark with its claspers and releases sperms on it. This then leads to fertilization.
6. Sharks sleep differently than we do
In the interesting top ten facts about sharks, Sharks sleep differently than we do is position 6. As the sharks moves in water, the water should touch the gills so as to get oxygen. Sharks need to swim all the time to make their gills moist and this makes it lie still in water sometimes described as sleep swimming. sharks can have part of their brain less active as they swim.
5. Sharks have a lateral line system, which detects movements in the water
In the interesting top ten facts about sharks, Sharks have a lateral line system, which detects movements in the water is position 5. The importance of the lateral line is to detect water movement. as they do this, they are able to find out if there are any objects that can endanger them or even preys, moreso at night when they can’t see well. This lateral line system has been veryhelpful to the shark.
4. Sharks do not have scales
In the interesting top ten facts about sharks, Sharks do not have scales is position 4. A shark has a hard skin which is covered by dermal denticles, and these are small plates covered with enamel, which look like those found on our teeth.
3. Sharks have rows of teeth
In the interesting top ten facts about sharks, Sharks have rows of teeth is position 3. The teeth of sharks don’t have roots, so they usually come out after a week. However, sharks have replacements made in rows and a new one can move in within a day to take the old one’s place. Sharks have five to 15 rows of teeth in each jaw, and most of them have five rows.
2. There are over 400 species of sharks
In the interesting top ten facts about sharks, there are over 400 species of sharks is position 2. Sharks come in diferent colors, sizes and shapes. Whale shark is considered as the largest because it measures 59 feet. There is also the smallest shark which is believed to be dwarf lanternshark measuring about 6-8 inches long.
1. Sharks are cartilaginous fish
In the interesting top ten facts about sharks, Sharks are cartilaginous fish is position 1. The term “cartilaginous fish” means that the structure of the animal’s body is formed of cartilage, instead of bone. Unlike the fins of bony fishes, the fins of cartilaginous fishes cannot change shape or fold alongside their body. Even as they do not have a bony skeleton, they are still grouped with other vertebrates chordata, Subphylum vertebrata and Class Elasmobranchii. This class is made up of about 1,000 species of sharks, skates and rays.
