You may have thought of this question if you’ve ever gone for a swim in an ocean.
Sharks are more fascinating than any other marine animals. Although shark attacks are statistically rare many people fear them and would be afraid to meet one.
The reputation that sharks have for being dangerous is not the only reason they are interesting animals. We also love their popularity and place in popular culture. These five facts are fun to learn about these fascinating carnivores.
1. This is one fast fish. While most sharks are quick swimmers, there are some species that are extremely quick. Mako sharks, which are smaller cousins to the great white shark can swim speeds of up 60 miles per hour.
2. An electrifying creature. One of the most remarkable characteristics of sharks is their jellyfilled pores, which cover their heads and enable them to detect natural electrical fields that are being emitted from other animals.
Sharks are able to sense fields less than one nanovolt per square meter. This is more than five million times greater than what a human can feel. Sharks can sense hidden prey in sand and other places that are out of sight.
3. Sharks captured on camera. Ron and Valerie Taylor were underwater experts who made history in 1971 by filming the first underwater 35 mm footage of the magnificent, but deadly great white shark. They did this off the South Australian coast.
They documented the event in their documentary “Blue Water, White Death,”Its 1971 debut at the box office was $5 million, which was a significant achievement. MGM Home Entertainment released the film for the first time on DVD in 2011.
4. A living fossil. A rare frilled shark was discovered swimming in Japan’s Awashima Marine Park in January 2007. This shark species, which is thought to have not changed much since prehistoric times has been found swimming thousands of feet below water’s surface. Live sightings of it are therefore extremely rare.
5. Big box office success. Steven Spielberg’s film “Jaws”It was the first film to gross more than $100 million at its box office. This made it a true blockbuster.
The film featured animatronic sharks and footage of great white sharks in real life shot by Ron Taylor and Valerie Taylor (the same husband-wife duo who filmed the film). “Blue Water, White Death.”
