The Fascinating World of Sharks: Surprising Facts and Myths Debunked
There are over 500 species of sharks, ranging in size from the pygmy shark, which is only 8 inches long, to the whale shark, which can grow up to 40 feet long.
Sharks have been around for over 400 million years, meaning they have outlived dinosaurs and have survived five mass extinctions.
Despite their fierce reputation, sharks do not actively seek out humans as prey. In fact, humans are not a natural food source for sharks.
Some shark species, such as the great white, can swim at speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour (37 mph).
Sharks have a diverse range of reproductive strategies, with some species laying eggs while others give birth to live young.
Sharks have multiple rows of teeth that can be replaced throughout their lives, with some species shedding over 30,000 teeth in their lifetime.
Sharks are cartilaginous fish with unique skeletons made of cartilage rather than bone, which makes them more flexible and lightweight.