Oceanic Whitetip Shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) Dimensions & Drawings

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.

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.

How are cartilaginous fish different from bony fish?

Cartilaginous fish are different from bony fish through their skeletons that are made of mostly cartilage as opposed to bony fish which have skeletons composed mostly of bone. Both cartilaginous and bony fish fall under different types of taxonomic groups. Cartilaginous fish are part of the Chondrichthyes while bony fish are of the Osteichthyes class.

How do cartilaginous fish maintain buoyancy?

Cartilaginous fish maintain their buoyancy through their liver which is filled with oil. The oil within their liver helps cartilaginous fish lighten their body to keep it from sinking downwards into the body of water, while also helping the fish save energy to keep moving and direct themselves.

Do cartilaginous fish have jaws?

Cartilaginous fish have movable jaws that are equipped with fully developed teeth. The mouth of cartilaginous fish is typically located under their head. Cartilaginous fish only have one set of oral jaws that are made of cartilage. The jaws of cartilaginous fish are articulated and opposed vertically.

How are cartilaginous fish different from bony fish?

Cartilaginous fish are different from bony fish through their skeletons that are made of mostly cartilage as opposed to bony fish which have skeletons composed mostly of bone. Both cartilaginous and bony fish fall under different types of taxonomic groups. Cartilaginous fish are part of the Chondrichthyes while bony fish are of the Osteichthyes class.

How do cartilaginous fish maintain buoyancy?

Cartilaginous fish maintain their buoyancy through their liver which is filled with oil. The oil within their liver helps cartilaginous fish lighten their body to keep it from sinking downwards into the body of water, while also helping the fish save energy to keep moving and direct themselves.

Do cartilaginous fish have jaws?

Cartilaginous fish have movable jaws that are equipped with fully developed teeth. The mouth of cartilaginous fish is typically located under their head. Cartilaginous fish only have one set of oral jaws that are made of cartilage. The jaws of cartilaginous fish are articulated and opposed vertically.

What do marine animals need to survive?

Factors that marine animals need to survive include bioluminescence which is when animals make their own light and helps them communicate and scare predators. Constant light, pressure, temperature, and food are factors needed to remain stable and help marine animals evolve to survive. Marine animals that live within the deep sea can withstand the cold.

Why do we need to protect marine life?

Humans need to protect marine life because our actions and lifestyles have a direct impact on the ocean. We need to protect marine life and provide a safe and healthy environment that is not impacted by overfishing, climate change, pollution, habitat destruction, invasive species, and other forms of human exploitation.