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The fascinating world of sharks, the highlight is that they are carnivores, a characteristic that makes them superior.
They are cartilaginous fish, which occupy the top of the food chain in marine environments.
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Their habitats are the most diverse oceanic environments, such as coasts at great depths at different temperatures.
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In addition to being large, some species reach up to 20 meters in length.
Sharks and their main features:
They have well-developed vision and a keen sense of smell, allowing them to smell odors from great distances.
The lateral lines detect vibrations. All these characteristics demonstrate the excellent sensory system of the species.
The reproductive system has internal fertilization. They can be oviparous, ovoviviparous or viviparous. There is cannibalism between embryos in some species.
The digestive system consists of a ventral mouth with teeth arranged in rows, which can be replaced during life.
The mobility of the skull, called cranial kinesis, allows them to feed on large prey.
Gill breathing is the main characteristic of the respiratory system and they do not have a swim bladder.
Because they do not have a swim bladder, the liver, due to the abundance of fat, is what helps them float.
Main shark species
Great white shark
The most feared species is the great white shark as it is a large predator, reaching up to 6 m in length.
They live in temperate regions and can go from the surface to about 250 meters deep.
The species feeds on other fish, turtles, cephalopods and aquatic birds.
Tiger shark
The tiger shark is found primarily in tropical and subtropical regions.
It lives in various regions of the marine environment. Locations 100 meters deep are its preferred.
The largest individual of the species recorded to date was approximately 7 meters long.
They feed on fish, cephalopods, crustaceans and birds.
Whale shark
The whale shark is characterized by its size. It can reach up to 20 m in length and 42 tons.
They generally live in fish spawning regions, and where there are concentrations of zooplankton to facilitate their feeding.
Hammerhead shark
The hammerhead shark gets its name from its flat head.
This characteristic is beneficial for swimming, vision, smell and the detection of electromagnetic fields. The latter helps to perceive the presence of another animal.
They inhabit different regions. Their size varies depending on the species and can reach 4 meters in length.
The species feeds on other teleost fish, squid and crustaceans.
Main curiosities about sharks
- Few species pose any danger to humans and attacks are relatively rare.
- The proximity of sharks to beaches is due to the deforestation of hillsides, areas that affect the food chain.
- The whale shark is the largest in the world, reaching up to 20 meters in length.
- The dwarf shark is the smallest in the world, measuring 25 centimeters.
- And the one that lives the longest is the catfish, which can live for more than 80 years.
- The shortfin mako shark is the fastest. It can reach speeds of 64 km/h.
- Shark cartilage contains a substance that, in laboratory animals, has been shown to inhibit tumor growth.
- They have a compound that is used to produce artificial skin.
- Their corneas are used to perform transplants on humans.
- They never stop swimming, which uses up a lot of energy. Their super-fast digestion means they need to eat constantly.
- They are nearsighted. Their vision only allows them to see objects that are very close.
- Sharks can recognize the Earth's magnetic field and use it as a compass.
- This surprising ability that they developed during their evolution allows them to move with long migrations that characterize their biological cycles.
Let's preserve sharks
Many people are afraid of shark attacks, but in reality, it is the sharks that are being decimated by the human species.
Overfishing for commercial purposes, to remove by-products, such as fins, increases indiscriminate fishing.
The destruction of coastal regions, used by some species for reproduction, is also an aggravating factor in the decline in shark populations.
Jaws Movie
Sharks fascinate many people, mainly because they are large predators of the oceans.
Which explains the success achieved by the film Jaws, directed by Steven Spielberg and released on July 7, 1975.
The plot tells the story of a detective, an ichthyologist (fish experts), and a fisherman who hunt a shark after it attacks bathers on the beach.
The film won the Oscar that year for best score, editing and sound. It was also nominated for the Oscar for best picture.
It was a very successful year for the film, as it also won other awards, such as: the BAFTA, for best music.
He also won a Grammy for best soundtrack composed for the film. The Golden Globe was for best original song.
