Random Facts about Sharks, Their Habitat and Interesting Marine Life

 

#1. The fastest shark species

On average sharks move at speeds close to 8 km/h (5 mph), but, when chasing its prey, they can reach speeds of over 19 km/h (12mph). The Shortfin mako holds the absolute speed record as it can accelerate to a speed of over 100 km/h (65mph).

#2. The slowest-swimming shark species

The habitat of Somniosus microcephalus or Greenland shark is located the farthest to the North than the habitat of any other shark species. But while other sharks are known for their incredible predatory speeds, the Greenland sharks are the slowest as it is capable of reaching only 2 km/h (1.25 mph).

But it doesn’t keep these marine animals from hunting for seals, which are much faster. Greenland sharks are known to attack sleeping seals, which decide to rest in water in order to escape from #polar bears. So instead of falling into the hands of bears, these animals become victims of the sharks.

#3. Shocking statistical figures about sharks

An organization called ISAF (International Shark Attack File) has been tracking shark attacks on humans since 1950s. The latest update to the file reveled shocking information, as there are only 50-80 (with approximately 10 being fatal) confirmed shark attacks on people annually. But, at the same time, humans are responsible for the deaths of approx. 100 million sharks annually.

#4. Lateral line and ampullae of Lorenzini

Sharks, like many other fish species, use a system of sense organs called the lateral line to perceive and analyze the movements and vibrations of the surrounding water. But unlike other fish species, sharks also possess the ability to perceive the electric fields of other inhabitants of the marine world.

These electric fields are formed by the work of the respiratory muscles and hearts, so many animals can’t feel safe even in their shelters, if there is a shark around. Such electroreceptors are found on the skin of sharks, rays, and chimaeras and are called the ampullae of Lorenzini.

#5. Alternative uses for teeth

The peoples dwelling in Oceania and America used to make tools and hunting gear with shark teeth. Before learning how to process iron, teeth of these marine predators were used to make swords, spears and other tools, where teeth were attached to a wooden base.

Such tools were been highly effective in hunting and shark teeth were easy to come by, as these animals are known to shed their teeth regularly.

#6. Stomach eversion in sharks

Many sharks are known to eat pretty much anything and usually end up having things that they cannot digest in their stomachs. Luckily these animals are known to practice something called gastric eversion - some species of sharks are capable of turning their stomachs inside out without damaging it with their sharp teeth. This helps them get rid of indigestible things.

#7. Inspiration for the car manufacturers

In 1961, General Motors has come up with a concept car called XP-755 (also known as Mako Shark car). Thanks to Bill Mitchell (head designer) the characteristic shape of the car was largely inspired by the body of Shortfin mako shark. Although this concept was never turned into a serial model, it later became an inspiration for the third-generation Chevrolet Corvette.

#8. Negative influence of the "Jaws"

Peter Benchley, a man behind the "Jaws" the novel, which later served as a plot for a movie by Steven Spielberg, became a passionate activist for research and the preservation of sharks and the marine ecosystem as a whole, after the "Jaws" franchise took off.

In his articles and scientific works he criticized the negative attitude towards sharks in most people, which was formed under the false understanding of the "Jaws" and other movies, where these animals are portrayed as fearless predators.

#9. Potentially poisonous dish - hakarl

There are many dishes around the world, which may seem weird to an ordinary person. While some may think that eating sharks may be completely wrong, there are traditional cuisines, which include meat of this animal as a main ingredient – there is, of course, shark fin soup, which is already banned in certain countries of the world and or less popular dishes, such as hakarl (Icelandic dish prepared from the meat of Greenland shark, which, if not prepared correctly, may be poisonous and is known to cause drunken-like state in humans because this animal has the most toxic meat of any shark).

#10. Unusual things found inside a shark's stomach

It was already stated that sharks could attack pretty much anything and swallow unbelievable things. According to historians, these animals were found with a variety of objects in their bellies – bottles, old bags, postal parcels, military shells and grenades.

There is a story about Italian fishermen, who, in 1952, became the ones to deliver a very sad message, which they had found inside a shark. Inside the stomach of a shark they caught was a bottle with a letter written by #a French fisherman who, dying alone in the sea, decided to say the last words to his wife and children.

Quick but fun facts to know about sharks:

- The evolution of sharks started 450–420 million years ago. Sharks in our modern understanding have inhabited the Earth for the last 100 years million years, so they existed at the time, when dinosaurs went extinct.

- Scientists today distinguish between 470 species of sharks and 13 orders of these animals. Depending on the species, the size of these predators varies from 6-8 inches (15-20 centimeters) and 59 feet (18 meters).

- Brain-to-body mass ratio of sharks is close to that of mammals, so no wonder sharks show very good signs of intelligence;

- The average life span of a shark is close to 30 years. But some species among the sharks may be called centenarians. For example, life span of a whale shark is over 100 years.

- After analyzing the history of shark attacks, biologists have come to a conclusion that the most dangerous for humans are tiger, hammerhead, mako, whitetip, bull, sand shark, blue sharks, as they attack humans the most often.

- Almost all sharks are born with a fully functional set of teeth, so these animals are capable of protecting themselves since birth.

Image credits:

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