Sharks | Selachii

Sharks | Selachii

Description
Description

Sharks, belonging to the subclass Selachii, are a group of cartilaginous fish known for their streamlined bodies and formidable presence in the oceans. Evolving over 400 million years ago, they've adapted to a wide range of aquatic habitats, from shallow coastal waters to the deep sea. Sharks possess a unique skeletal structure made entirely of cartilage, lighter than bone, enabling their efficient movement through water. Their evolution has equipped them with keen senses like electroreception and an impressive set of teeth that continuously replace themselves. Despite their often fearsome reputation, sharks play a vital role in maintaining marine ecosystems as apex predators.

Anatomy
Anatomy

Sharks are fascinating creatures with a streamlined body, perfect for gliding through water. Unlike bony fish, their skeletons are made of flexible cartilage. They have multiple rows of replaceable, sharp teeth that keep them ready for their next meal. Sharks lack a swim bladder; instead, they rely on a large, oil-filled liver for buoyancy. Their powerful tails propel them forward, while their fins help in steering. Sharks have an extraordinary sense of smell and can detect electrical fields using special organs called the Ampullae of Lorenzini. Though they can't make sounds as we do, sharks communicate through body language and movements.

Human Interaction
Human Interaction

Sharks have long fascinated and terrified humans, a dichotomy reflected in our culture and media. They star as misunderstood monsters in films like "Jaws," yet are also revered for their role in ocean ecosystems. Historically, humans have hunted sharks for their fins, teeth, and as trophies, leading to declines in many shark populations.

Recognizing their ecological importance and the threat of extinction, conservation efforts have intensified. Organizations advocate for sustainable fishing practices and the creation of marine sanctuaries. From fear to admiration, the human-shark relationship is evolving towards respect and a desire to protect these magnificent creatures.

Common Questions
Common Questions
How many bones do sharks have?

Sharks do not have any bones in their bodies, as their skeleton system is made up of cartilage and connective tissue. This classifies them as Chondrichthyes fish. Cartilage is flexible and has about half of the normal density found in bones.

What do sharks eat?

The diet of a shark varies from shark to shark depending on the species, habitat, and available prey. There are over 400 species of sharks. Most sharks are carnivorous and predators, while some are planktivorous. Sharks aren’t picky and are able to adjust their diet to what is available in order to survive.


How do sharks sleep?

It is not known if sharks are able to sleep, but they do seem to have periods of rest. Sharks need to keep water moving over their gills to receive oxygen. Some sharks need to keep moving all the times to keep water over their gills, while others have spiracles, an opening behind each eye, that allows them to breath while they are still.

Animals

* Under Development *

34”-47” | 86-119 cm
5.92’-7.83’ | 1.8-2.39 m
70-180 lb | 32-82 kg
25-35 years
Angel Shark
119.000
239.000
82.000
35.00
21200
GUIDE
3D
Angel Shark
2”-2.4” | 5-6 cm
31”-34” | 79-86 cm
10-19 lb | 4.5-9 kg
9-15 years
Bahamas Sawshark
6.000
86.000
9.000
15.00
150
GUIDE
3D
Bahamas Sawshark
22’-35’ | 6.7-10.7 m
8800-13200 lb | 4000-6000 kg
Up to 50 years
Basking Shark
1070.000
6000.000
50.00
57000
GUIDE
3D
Basking Shark
7.5”-11.4” | 19-29 cm
4.92’-8’ | 1.5-2.44 m
150-270 lb | 68-122 kg
12-16 years
Blacktip Shark
29.000
244.000
122.000
16.00
19200
GUIDE
3D
Blacktip Shark
8.5’-13’ | 2.6-4 m
120-400 lb | 54-181 kg
15-20 years
Blue Shark
400.000
181.000
20.00
16000
GUIDE
3D
Blue Shark
12.2”-25.2” | 31-64 cm
5’-10’ | 1.52-3.05 m
300-440 lb | 136-200 kg
15-25 years
Bramble Shark
64.000
305.000
200.000
25.00
1850
GUIDE
3D
Bramble Shark
7’-11.5” | 2.1-3.5 m
400-700 lb | 181-318 kg
12-25 years
Bull Shark
350.000
318.000
25.00
56000
GUIDE
3D
Bull Shark
1.8”-3” | 4.5-7.5 cm
4’-6.67’ | 1.22-2.03 m
200-300 lb | 91-136 kg
20-25 years
Frilled Shark
7.500
203.000
136.000
25.00
121100
GUIDE
3D
Frilled Shark
5’-12.5’ | 1.5-3.8 m
330-463 lb | 150-210 kg
30-35 years
Goblin Shark
380.000
210.000
35.00
82000
GUIDE
3D
Goblin Shark
21”-34.6” | 53-88 cm
12’-20’ | 3.66-6.1 m
510-1,000 lb | 231-454 kg
20-30 years
Great Hammerhead
88.000
610.000
454.000
30.00
13100
GUIDE
3D
Great Hammerhead
11’-21’ | 3.35-6.4 m
1500-2400 lb | 680-1090 kg
30-70 years
Great White Shark
640.000
1090.000
70.00
133000
GUIDE
3D
Great White Shark
12’-24’ | 3.7-7.3 m
1950-2250 lb | 885-1020 kg
300-500 years
Greenland Shark
730.000
1020.000
500.00
55000
GUIDE
3D
Greenland Shark
6.7”-9” | 17-23 cm
36”-48” | 91-122 cm
20-23 lb | 9-10.4 kg
12-25 years
Horn Shark
23.000
122.000
10.400
25.00
8200
GUIDE
3D
Horn Shark
7.5’-11’ | 2.3-3.4 m
190-400 lb | 86-181 kg
25-35 years
Lemon Shark
340.000
181.000
35.00
27000
GUIDE
3D
Lemon Shark
4’-7’ | 1.2-2.1 m
35-45 lb | 16-20 kg
20-30 years
Leopard Shark
210.000
20.000
30.00
15000
GUIDE
3D
Leopard Shark
4.3”-5.1” | 11-13 cm
54”-59” | 137-150 cm
20-30 lb | 9-13.6 kg
10-15 years
Longnose Sawshark
13.000
150.000
13.600
15.00
380
GUIDE
3D
Longnose Sawshark
13’-18’ | 4-5.5 m
2000-2700 lb | 907-1225 kg
Unknown
Megamouth Shark
550.000
1225.000
28000
GUIDE
3D
Megamouth Shark
7.5’-10’ | 2.3-3 m
200-330 lb | 91-150 kg
15-25 years
Nurse Shark
300.000
150.000
25.00
35000
GUIDE
3D
Nurse Shark
15.75”-20.5” | 40-52 cm
10’-13’ | 3.05-3.96 m
200-370 lb | 91-168 kg
25-36 years
Oceanic Whitetip Shark
52.000
396.000
168.000
36.00
13250
GUIDE
3D
Oceanic Whitetip Shark
19.3”-24” | 49-61 cm
12’-14.5’ | 3.66-4.42 m
700-1,960 lb | 318-889 kg
40 years (minimum)
Pacific Sleeper Shark
61.000
442.000
889.000
40.00
4550
GUIDE
3D
Pacific Sleeper Shark
7.9”-10.25” | 20-26 cm
54”-66” | 137-168 cm
13-35 lb | 6-16 kg
25-30 years
Port Jackson Shark
26.000
168.000
16.000
30.00
14150
GUIDE
3D
Port Jackson Shark
6.5’-10’ | 2-3 m
485-1000 lb | 220-454 kg
20-30 years
Salmon Shark
300.000
454.000
30.00
11000
GUIDE
3D
Salmon Shark
27.2”-33.1” | 69-84 cm
47”-59” | 119-150 cm
27-35 lb | 12-16 kg
25-35 years
Sand Devil
84.000
150.000
16.000
35.00
1190
GUIDE
3D
Sand Devil
7’-10.5’ | 2.1-3.2 m
200-400 lb | 91-182 kg
10-15 years
Sand Tiger Shark
320.000
182.000
15.00
12000
GUIDE
3D
Sand Tiger Shark
3.1”-5.5” | 8-14 cm
24”-42” | 61-107 cm
8-22 lb | 3.6-10 kg
30-40 years
Spiny Dogfish
14.000
107.000
10.000
40.00
11200
GUIDE
3D
Spiny Dogfish
10.5’-20’ | 3.2-6.1 m
500-775 lb | 227-352 kg
20-50 years
Thresher Shark
610.000
352.000
50.00
30000
GUIDE
3D
Thresher Shark
10’-14’ | 3-4.3 m
850-2000 lb | 385-907 kg
15-30 years
Tiger Shark
430.000
907.000
30.00
69000
GUIDE
3D
Tiger Shark
30’-62’ | 9.1-18.9 m
41000-50000 (20.6-25 tons) | 18600-22675 kg
70-130 years
Whale Shark
1890.000
22675.000
130.00
110000
GUIDE
3D
Whale Shark
6.5’-11.5’ | 2-3.5 m
45-65 lb | 20-30 kg
20-30 years
Zebra Shark
350.000
30.000
30.00
7100
GUIDE
3D
Zebra Shark