10 Amazing Facts About Sharks

Ever since the release of Jaws (1975), sharks have been the subject of fascination and fear, sometimes a little of both. Sharks are an integral part of ocean life, and yet we are still learning about these mysterious creatures today. Sharks are even the subject of the week long Shark Week special each year on the Discovery Channel.

These ten shark facts will provide a basic overview about sharks, though to thoroughly study sharks, more research is suggested.

1.Sharks are at greater danger from humans than humans are for being attacked. Approximately 100 million sharks are killed each year by fishing, finning, boating accidents, or getting caught in nets.

2. In the United States, Florida had the most reported shark attack incidents between 2000-2006, with a total of 215. Of those attacks, only 3 were fatalities. California had the second highest number of shark attacks with a total of 23.

3. The whale shark is the biggest shark, with over 300 rows of teeth.

4. In Asia, shark fins can bring in a large profit, contributing to the brutal practice of fishing for sharks and then cutting off their fins while they are alive. Several countries have banned this practice.

5. Sharks swim in every ocean on earth. There are sharks who thrive in cold waters, and others who need the warmer tropical waters. The bull shark has been known to travel inland to fresh water lakes, and a few other types of sharks can sometimes be found in rivers close to the ocean.

6. Sharks have been on the planet since the age of the dinosaurs. Sharks are thought to date back about 64 million years ago.

7. The three sharks responsible for the majority of all shark attacks on humans are the great white, bull shark, and the tiger shark.

8. Sharks are constantly losing and replacing teeth. In their lifetime, most sharks can replace several thousand teeth.

9. There are over 370 different types of sharks and new research may prove to discover even more. Recently, a new type of hammerhead shark was discovered on the US Atlantic Coast.

10. Sharks are an integral part of the marine ecosystem. Overfishing kills off sharks who would otherwise prevent other marine fish from overpopulating. As the predators of the sea, sharks contribute to the balance of sea life, and even the health of coral reefs.

Sources: www.discovery.com; www.sharks.org