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Sharks are often characterized by their highly distinctive triangular dorsal fin and jaws lined with sharp teeth. They vary greatly between species and while some such as the tiger shark and bull shark deserve the reputation for being aggressive hunters, there are many species that are docile and peaceful, such as the whale shark, a gentle giant that feeds on plankton and krill.
They have keen senses that make them extremely skilled hunters. Aside from their acute sense of smell, sharks are able to detect electrical signatures in the water through special electroreceptors called the ampullae of Lorenzini.
Sharks have been a source of fascination for mankind for centuries and despite there only being a handful of fatalities from shark attacks, media coverage and movie portrayals have led the public to believe that they are ferocious killing machines. Although some species are particularly dangerous, the majority of sharks tend to avoid humans in the water and will co-exist peacefully. However, more than 100 million sharks are slaughtered each year for consumption, trophy status, medicine, and out of fear, proving that sharks have more to fear from us than we do from them.
As predators, sharks are incredibly important in maintaining the balance of the marine ecosystem and there are an increasing number of conservation initiatives helping to preserve these magnificent creatures in their natural habitats. This book explores the anatomical characteristics, various habitats and diet, as well as the reproductive behavior of nine species including the fearsome great white shark, the gregarious leopard shark, and the bizarre goblin shark.
