Most Recognised Shark Species
Sharks - what you need to know?
Sharks (superorder Selachimorpha) are a type of fish with a full cartilaginous skeleton and a highly streamlined body. The earliest known sharks date from more than 420 million years ago, before the time of the dinosaurs.
Since that time, sharks have diversified into 440 species, ranging in size from the small dwarf Lantern shark, Etmopterus Perryi, a deep sea species of only 17 centimetres (7 in) in length, to the Whale shark, Rhincodon Typus, the largest fish, which reaches approximately 12 metres (39 ft) and which feeds only on plankton, squid and small fish through filter feeding.
Sharks are found in all seas and are common down to depths of 2,000 metres (6,600 ft). They generally do not live in freshwater, with a few exceptions such as the Bull shark (Zambezi Shark) and the River shark which can live both in seawater and freshwater.
They respire with the use of five to seven gill slits. Sharks have a covering of dermal denticles that protect their skin from damage and parasites and improve fluid dynamics so the shark can move faster. They have several sets of replaceable teeth.
Well-known species such as the Great White and the Hammerhead are apex predators at the top of the underwater food chain. Their extraordinary skills as predators fascinate and frighten humans, even as their survival is under serious threat from fishing and other human activities.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shark
We have featured a few of the more well known shark species below.
-
-
Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias)
Also known as white pointer, white shark, or white death it can exceed 6 metres in length and 2,240 kilograms in weight and has a lifespan of between 30 and 100 years. Arguably the world's largest known predatory shark.
-
-
Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas)
Most commonly known as the Zambezi shark in South Africa, the Bull shark also known as the Whaler shark or unofficially known as Zambi in Africa and Nicaragua shark in Nicaragua, is a shark common worldwide in warm, shallow waters along coasts and in river mouths. The bull shark is well known for its unpredictable, often aggressive behavior.
-
-
Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)
The incredibly large, but docile whale shark inhabits the world's tropic and warm-temperate seas.
-
-
Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)
Found in many tropical and temperate oceans, the Tiger shark is especially common around central Pacific islands. This shark is a solitary, mostly night-time hunter. Its name derives from the dark stripes down its body, which fade as the shark matures.
-
-
Hammer Head Shark (Sphyrna zygaena)
Hammerheads are notably one of the few animals that acquire a tan from prolonged exposure to sunlight, a feature shared by pigs and humans. Tanning occurs when a hammerhead is in shallow waters or close to the surface for long periods.
-
-
Mako Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus)
Isurus is a genus of mackerel sharks in the family Lamnidae, commonly known as the mako sharks. There are two living species, the common shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) and the rare longfin mako shark (Isurus paucus), and several extinct species known from fossils.
-
-
Ragged Tooth Shark (Carcharias taurus)
The grey nurse shark (Australia), spotted ragged-tooth shark (Africa) or sand tiger shark (US and UK), is a large shark inhabiting coastal waters worldwide, with many different names in different countries. Despite a fearsome appearance and strong swimming abilities, it is relatively placid and is considered not aggressive unless provoked.
Join our Social Network
