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 There are over 300 different kinds of Sharks. The whale shark (left) is the largest shark and also the largest fish in the sea, measuring up to
15 m (49 ft) in length; the cookie-cutter shark measures less than 50 cm (19 in) in
length. Although the whale shark is the largest, it feeds on tiny creatures called
"plankton" which it gets by straining the water through it's large mouth. |
 Hammerhead
Shark
The hammerhead shark, distinguished by its
hammer-shaped head, is perhaps the most recognizable of the sharks. The unusual head
allows the hammerhead to make turns more easily than other sharks, and the eyes and
nostrils located on the ends of the head give it an advantage in tracking prey. The
hammerhead roams warm and temperate seas, feeding on sting rays, bony fish, and
invertebrates. An aggressive shark, the hammerhead has a reputation for unprovoked attacks
on humans.
Bob Cranston/Norbert Wu Photography
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| Great
White Shark is considered the most dangerous of the sharks. The great white shark has
a conical instead of flattened snout, black eyes, and large, serrated, arrowhead-shaped
teeth. White sharks swallow unchewed creatures and objects half their size, especially
seals, dolphins, turtles, other sharks, chunks of whale, fish, and ship's garbage. Great
White Shark is considered the most dangerous of the sharks. The great white shark has
a conical instead of flattened snout, black eyes, and large, serrated, arrowhead-shaped
teeth. White sharks swallow unchewed creatures and objects half their size, especially
seals, dolphins, turtles, other sharks, chunks of whale, fish, and ship's garbage. |
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| The thresher shark is often a welcome nuisance to mackerel and
bait fishermen because it becomes entangled in their nets. They are a common site in fish
markets and, in many parts of the world, are fished with long lines and gillnets. It is
considered harmless to humans, although two boat attacks have been reported. They are
classed as game fish and are known for a great jumping capacity. Thresher sharks are
becoming scarcer due to heavy fishing pressure |
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| In the wild, these slow sharks eat a variety of bottom prey such as spiny
lobster, shrimps, crabs, snails, and fishes - including mullets, puffers and sting rays.
Their method of eating has been likened to that of a living vacuum cleaner, and they have
been reported to flip conchs upside-down and literally suck the animal out of its shell.
They are believed to prey on fish at night when they are inactive and easy targets. |
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| The Tiger shark's name derives from the distinctive dark bands that run
from the top of the back down along its sides. It is one of the most feared by humans;
second only to the Great White and reaches a length of 18 feet. It will eat almost
anything and is considered to be the most scavingous of all the sharks. It eats a variety
of fish, moray eels and sharks smaller in size such as Grey Reef sharks, Hammerhead and
even other Tiger sharks. It also eats turtles and birds that rest on the surface of the
ocean such as pelicans and migratory birds. |
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