Shark Anatomy: What’s Inside a Shark?

Let’s dive into the fascinating world of shark anatomy to discover what makes these incredible creatures so unique. Skeleton : Made of cartilage, not bone, providing flexibility and speed in the water. Teeth : Some shark breeds have up to 3,000 teeth in multiple rows, constantly replaced throughout their lives. Brain : Highly developed for processing sensory information, crucial for locating prey. Tongue : Called a "basihyal," it’s small and not used for tasting. Learning about shark anatomy offers a glimpse into the adaptations that have allowed sharks to thrive in the ocean for millions of years.

Where to See Sharks | SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium

Get ready to explore the fascinating world of sharks at SEA LIFE Grapevine in Dallas metro! These silent hunters have been roaming the depths of the ocean for millions of years. They’re captivating predators that inspire fear and respect, but are often misunderstood due to depictions in pop culture. Sharks are a diverse animal with over 500 different shark species - from the friendly Caribbean Reef Shark to the legendary Great White Shark. Read on to discover more interesting shark facts that will surprise and delight the whole family!

Sharks are classified as fish, not mammals, as while mammals typically breathe air with lungs, sharks breathe underwater through gills, which allow them to extract oxygen from water.

From the tiny Dwarf Lantern Shark to the gigantic Whale Shark, each shark breed has distinct characteristics that help it survive in the wild. Some sharks are fast swimmers, while others more sedentary and prefer to stay near the ocean floor. Sharks play a crucial role in keeping marine ecosystems balanced by controlling the populations of other species, making them an essential part of our oceans.

Let’s dive into the fascinating world of shark anatomy to discover what makes these incredible creatures so unique.

Skeleton: Made of cartilage, not bone, providing flexibility and speed in the water.
Teeth: Some shark breeds have up to 3,000 teeth in multiple rows, constantly replaced throughout their lives.
Brain: Highly developed for processing sensory information, crucial for locating prey.
Tongue: Called a "basihyal," it’s small and not used for tasting.

Learning about shark anatomy offers a glimpse into the adaptations that have allowed sharks to thrive in the ocean for millions of years.

Sharks are incredibly adaptable and can be found in nearly every ocean on Earth, from the shallow coastal waters to the deep, open seas. Some sharks, like reef sharks, thrive in warm, tropical waters, while others, such as the Greenland shark, live in the icy depths of the Arctic.

Yes, several shark species inhabit the Mediterranean, including the Blue Shark and the endangered Great White Shark. These resilient creatures have adapted to a variety of environments, showcasing their ability to thrive in diverse marine ecosystems worldwide.

Sharks are the ocean’s ultimate hunters, with a menu as wild and varied as the deep blue itself! So, what do sharks eat? The answer varies depending on the species, but their diet generally includes fish, squid, crustaceans, and sometimes larger marine animals. For example, some larger sharks, such as the great white, do occasionally prey on marine mammals, which brings up common questions like do sharks eat dolphins? Yes, some shark species will hunt dolphins, as well as seals and porpoises, if they are available and part of their natural prey.

Shark reproduction is as fascinating as it is diverse! The way that sharks reproduce depends on the species, but shark reproduction includes some unique methods that make them stand out in the animal kingdom.

Sharks usually engage in a courtship process that includes biting and dancing, which can look a little rough but is a natural part of shark romance!

Yes, many species do! In fact, some baby sharks, called pups, are born ready to swim off and explore the ocean from day one, while others hatch from egg cases affectionately known as “mermaid’s purses.”

Sharks may be top predators, but they’re not entirely safe from danger in the ocean! What eats sharks? Believe it or not, sharks have a few predators of their own. One of their biggest threats comes from orcas, also known as killer whales. Orcas are clever hunters and have even been known to target large sharks, like great whites.

Aside from natural predators, the biggest threat to sharks is actually human activity:

Overfishing – Sharks are often caught intentionally for their fins, meat, and liver oil, or unintentionally as bycatch, leading to population declines.
Finning – Shark finning, where sharks are caught, have their fins removed, and are then thrown back into the sea, is a major issue, especially as fins are in demand for certain cultural dishes.
Habitat Loss – Coastal development, pollution, and climate change are disrupting important shark habitats, such as coral reefs and mangroves, where many species feed and reproduce.
Pollution – Chemical pollution, plastic waste, and microplastics harm sharks by contaminating their food sources and accumulating in their bodies over time.
Climate Change – Rising ocean temperatures and acidification impact sharks’ prey availability and can alter migration patterns, forcing sharks to adapt to new conditions or find new habitats.
Shark Culling – In some areas, shark culling is practiced as a means of “protecting” beachgoers, which directly reduces local shark populations.

At SEA LIFE, we’re committed to protecting sharks and their ocean habitats .

Shark attacks on humans are incredibly rare, but they do happen from time to time—and usually, it’s just a case of mistaken identity! Sharks don’t naturally view us as food; most often, they’re curious or confuse us with their usual prey, like seals or fish, especially if we’re splashing around in the water.

When it comes to the most dangerous sharks, species like the great white, bull shark, and tiger shark are responsible for most of these mistaken encounters, simply because they’re more likely to come near shore where humans swim.

They Have Super Senses! Sharks can detect a drop of blood in an Olympic-sized pool.
They Can “Feel” Heartbeats – Sharks have special sensors called ampullae of Lorenzini that can detect the electric fields of other animals—even sensing a heartbeat in the water nearby!
Some Sharks Glow in the Dark – Believe it or not, some deep-sea sharks like the lantern shark have bioluminescent skin, which helps them glow in dark ocean depths. It’s like their own built-in flashlight!
Sharks Never Run Out of Teeth – Most sharks have rows of teeth that work like a conveyor belt. When one tooth falls out, another moves up to take its place—some sharks can go through 30,000 teeth in a lifetime!
They’ve Been Around Since Before Dinosaurs – Sharks are true survivors, with ancestors dating back over 400 million years. That’s about 200 million years before the first dinosaurs roamed the Earth!

Sharks come in all shapes and sizes and you can find 8 species of saltwater sharks in our aquarium in Dallas. Meet some of our resident sharks below and find out some fun facts about them:

Japanese Bullhead sharks are venomous.
The Japanese Bullhead Shark can be recognised by its pattern of broad saddles or bars on the body.
It has commonly been found in Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan.

They’re picky eaters! Leopard sharks are known to selectively eat only parts of their prey, leaving the rest.
Leopard sharks are more active at night than during the day, and sometimes are found lying still on the bottom.
Leopard sharks are named for the distinctive black saddle-like markings and large spots on their backs.

Coral Cat sharks are listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to habitat destruction and overfishing.
The Coral Cat Shark was first discovered in 1830 by zoologist Edward Turner Bennett.
Its original scientific name was Scyllium marmoratum. The word marmoratus in latin means “marbled”.

Epaulette sharks lay eggs called Mermaid's Purses.
Epaulette sharks are one of nine species of “walking shark.”
Epaulette sharks have large false eyespots behind their head to make themselves appear larger.

Haggard the nurse shark is the largest shark in the aquarium.
Nurse sharks have barbels which look like fleshy whiskers.
The name "nurse shark" may come from the Old English word hurse, which means "sea-floor shark". It may also come from the sucking sound they make when hunting, which is similar to a nursing baby.

Blacktip reef sharks are named for the characteristic black tips or margins on their fins.
Social Creatures: Black tip reef sharks are often seen in groups or schools, which is not common among sharks. They use this social behavior to hunt for prey more effectively.
Fast Swimmers: These sharks are known for their incredible speed, capable of reaching bursts of up to 20 miles per hour (32 kilometers per hour).

Zebra sharks are less active and are able to spend lots of time lazing around by sucking water into their mouth and squeezing it over their gills.
These zebras lose their stripes! As juveniles, zebra sharks have dark bodies with yellowish stripes. As they mature, the pattern changes to small dark spots on a grayish-tan background.
The zebra shark’s tail accounts for half the length of its entire body.

Whitetip reef sharks are nocturnal.
Whitetip reef sharks are social animals that spend their days resting in groups in caves, under ledges, or on sandy bottoms. They often return to the same place to rest every day.
Whitetip reef sharks are not aggressive and will usually swim away when approached.

You can see all these incredible shark species at SEA Life Grapevine! Get up close and personal with these fascinating creatures with our 360 degree Ocean tunnel, while all our shark species pass by over your head. Book tickets to see some of these amazing sharks in our aquarium today!