Essay on Sharks For Students & Children

By Anirban Saha

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Sharks essay

You may have heard about sharks before and also have seen them on TV.

Do you know much about these creatures?

Let’s learn more about sharks through this essay!

Essay on Sharks

Sharks are incredible animals that play a vital role in the world’s oceans, yet their importance is often overlooked. These fascinating creatures have been around for 400 to 450 million years, predating even the dinosaurs.

The earliest fossil evidence for sharks or their ancestors are a few scales dating back to the Late Ordovician Period, around 450 million years ago, making them some of the first vertebrates on Earth.

This shows: Gray Shark

Recent research suggests that sharks could be as crucial to our ecosystem as trees or bees. They help maintain healthy fish populations by removing sick and dying individuals from a population, preventing the spread of disease and reducing the number of fish that may suffer from starvation.

Sharks have streamlined bodies that enable them to swim effortlessly through the water. Their powerful tail fins, which are spread out like a fish’s tail, propel them through the water and help them steer through rough waters and turn quickly when attacking prey.

The skin of a shark is covered with small tooth-like scales called “dermal denticles,” which help protect the fish from injury as they move through the water, as the thin scales do not catch on objects.

Sharks have mouths full of sharp teeth, which they use to attack and eat their prey. Many types of sharks have rows of tiny spikes on their heads called “cephalic lobes,” which are believed to help them sense prey in the water. Some species, such as angel sharks, have large pectoral fins that help them glide through the water, although these are not true wings.

A shark’s color comes from light reflecting off its skin. Depending on the type of light, a shark can appear black, dark grey, or even a lighter shade. They typically have white bellies, which helps them blend in with the bright surface of the water when viewed from below.

Sharks are the apex predators in most of their near-shore habitats. The size and shape of sharks vary significantly among the approximately 500 different species known today.

The largest extant shark species is the whale shark, which can grow up to 18.8 m (61.7 ft) in length and weigh an estimated 19 tonnes (42,000 lb).

The prehistoric megalodon, which is now extinct, was even larger, with estimates suggesting it could grow up to 18 m (59 ft) in length.

Sharks are not only fascinating and diverse creatures but also play a critical role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. Their incredible adaptations and long evolutionary history make them an essential part of the world’s oceans, and their importance should not be underestimated.

10 lines on Shark

  1. Sharks are incredible fish that have been around for over 450 million years.
  2. With more than 500 species, they come in various sizes and shapes.
  3. As apex predators, many shark species play a vital role in maintaining ocean ecosystems.
  4. Many shark species give birth to live young, while others lay eggs known as “mermaid purses.”
  5. Their mouths can contain many sharp, triangular teeth in multiple rows and can shed about 35000 teeth throughout their lifetime.
  6. Sharks have diverse diets, ranging from plankton to marine mammals, depending on the species.
  7. Despite their reputation, sharks are essential for the health of our oceans.
  8. Their keen sense of smell allows them to detect blood from far distances.
  9. Sharks have skeletons made of cartilage, making them lighter and more flexible.
  10. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect sharks from threats like overfishing.

Seven interesting facts about sharks

  1. Most sharks have excellent eyesight.
  2. Shark skin feels as rough as sandpaper due to the presence of dermal denticles.
  3. Sharks have a cartilaginous skeleton, not a bony one.
  4. Scientists can estimate the age of sharks by counting growth rings on their vertebrae.
  5. Blue sharks are known for their distinct blue coloration.
  6. The earliest known shark-like fish date back to the Devonian period, about 400 million years ago.
  7. Different shark species have various types of teeth, adapted to their specific diets and hunting strategies.
Anirban Saha
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