Shark species introduction
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There are over 500 species of sharks, and there is a great deal of diversity among them. Sharks include the world's largest fish, the Whale Shark, as well as some as small as a few inches. Most are predators, but a few filter plankton from the seawater.
Sharks are in the sub-class Elasmobranch, which they share with skates and rays. Shark species are categorized into the 10 orders, although some scientists divide them into 8 orders. Get to know them, here: |
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Frilled sharks, a long, skinny shark that look like an eel, are among the oldest living species of sharks.
Cow sharks are little known because they spend most of their lives in deep, cold oceans beyond the reach of divers.
Bramble sharks are named for thorn-like 'dermal denticles' that grow over their body. Bramble sharks are rare, although widely distributed.
Dogfish sharks are the second largest of shark orders with 128 species. Dogfish are highly diverse.
Angel Sharks are reminiscent of skates, with flattened bodies. They often hide in the sand, waiting to pounce.
Sawsharks resemble sawfish, with a long, toothy, sword-like snout to find and slash their prey.
Bullhead sharks are relatively inelegant for a shark, living clumsily on rocky reefs.
Carpet Sharks derive their name from both their bottom-dwelling nature and varied coloration. Just don't step on one.
Mackeral Sharks include the most famous sharks, such as the Thresher, Mako, and the most famous of them all, the Great White Shark.
The Ground Sharks are the largest of shark orders with 277 currently identified species and includes many of the most 'typical' sharks as well as some unusual ones.