Sharks: Fascinating Creatures of the Ocean

Sharks have been around for more than 400 million years = True Whale sharks can grow to more than 55 feet = True Sharks have skeletons made from bone = False Sharks have mouths lined with one row of teeth = False

Some species of sharks are solitary = True Lemon sharks congregate in groups to socialize = True All species of sharks migrate vast distances = False All species of sharks hang out in groups = False

Sharks have five to seven gill slits on each side of their heads = True Dwarf lantern sharks can grow to more than 55 feet = False Sharks have teeth that fall out and grow back on a routine basis = True Sharks' teeth are all the same size and shape = False

<p>Overfishing = Responsible for drastic declines in shark populations Rising water temperatures and coastal development = Contributing to shrinking populations by destroying habitats Shark finning = Cutting the fins off live sharks and dumping them back into the ocean Human population = Resulting in increased shark attacks</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Most sharks = Eat smaller fish and invertebrates Larger shark species = Prey on seals, sea lions, and other marine mammals Humans = Not on a shark's menu for consumption Beachgoers = Have a rare chance of being bitten by a shark</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sharks = Critical for ensuring a balanced food web as top predators Overfishing = Causing a drop in shark numbers which is bad for ocean health Mangroves and coral reefs destruction = Contributing to shrinking shark populations by destroying habitats Rising water temperatures = Affecting the breeding, hunting, and protection of young shark pups</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Curiosity = One of the reasons sharks bite humans Perceived threat = One of the reasons sharks bite humans Confusion with prey = One of the reasons sharks bite humans Hunger = Not a primary reason for shark attacks on humans</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sharks drown or bleed out = After fins are cut off live sharks and dumped back into the ocean Saving space on the boat = Purpose of cutting off fins during shark finning Avoiding surpassing fishing quotas = Reason for cutting fins off live sharks and dumping them back into the ocean Valuable part of a shark = The fins which are mostly used for making shark fin soup</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Shark attacks on beachgoers = Exceedingly rare with only a one in 11.5 million chance Shark attacks on fishermen = Not mentioned as common interactions with sharks Human consumption by sharks = Not on a shark's menu for consumption Shark attacks on marine mammals = Some larger species prey on seals, sea lions, and other marine mammals</p> Signup and view all the answers