There is a lot more to sharks that the movie where the Great White is cruising beaches looking for unsuspecting humans to attack. These are marvelous fish that make up over four hundred species and are found throughout the world. Some of these fish eat other fish and krill. Other fish are opportunistic and eat whatever comes in across their path.
These fish have been in existence longer than almost any other creature on earth. They have evolved to survive a multitude of changes that have taken place on the planet over the last four hundred million years. There are some characteristics they share and make them stunning to study and watch.
Most people don't realize that a shark cannot swim backwards. Their entire body is built for forward motion and their tails are designed to provide them with the momentum they need to catch or corral the food that they eat.
The size of these fish varies greatly, they can be found as small as seven inches long and as large as thirty-nine feet. The skin of the shark is composed on dermal denticles. This is not related to the scales that other fish have, but is more like a corset that is flexible and acts like an outer skeleton. The skin is very tough and has been used for sandpaper and leather in commercial industries.
Connective tissue hold the cartilage of this boneless fish. The lack of bones and a rib cage allow it to twist, bend, and move much more quickly than a regular fish. They also are able to control their movements when they are moving through the water.
Only a few sharks jump out of the water. These fish catch birds and other animals that are near the surface of the water. Some Makos have been known to jump into boats. Many of these beautiful creatures are on the endangered species list because of uncontrolled hunting and a disregard for the many lessons they can teach humans in the art of survival.
Studying sharks has always Andries Joubert's passion for as long as he can remember and has always pondered about shark migration.
