By Sarah Clinger
Shark facts...all about sharks!
How many specices of sharks are there?
Currently there are approximately 400 described species of sharks, however new species are being described all the time. In addition, there are around 400 species of rays, a close relative of sharks
Do males or females get attacked more often?
- 93% of shark attacks from 1580 to 2010 worldwide were on males, so the majority of people that are attacked by sharks are males.
Are sharks more dangerous or toilets?
In 1996, toilets injured 43,000 Americans a year. Sharks injured 13
Did you know that you are most likely to get a coconut fallen or your head the get bit by a shark in your whole lifetime?
It's true! Average people are more likely to drop a coconut on their head then get bit by a shark!
More people die or starvation then sharks attacks each year.
- Only 5 people die from shark attacks yearly, while millions of people die from starvation.
Do sharks have bones?
No, sharks and all other fishes belonging to the class Chondrichthyes lack true bone, but rather have cartilaginous skeleton
Why do sharks have razor sharp teeth?
Even though sharks have razor-sharp teeth, they don't use them for chewing prey. They are for ripping; resulting chunks are swallowed whole
How many shark attacks happen in Flordia?
Of the 72 unprovoked shark attacks in 2013, the most were in Florida, where there were 23 unprovoked attacks.
Random fact!
Sharks can generate up to 40,000 pounds per square inch of pressure in a single bite. That's easily enough to chomp off a limb
Why are sharks not afraid of humans?
While many of us have learned to fear sharks, they are the ones who should fear us. Humans kill 73 million sharks annually, the truth is...they are afraid of us!