Who is the Shark of the Week!?!?!?

The Mako Shark!!!!

The Facts:

The mako shark can grow up to be between 6 and 9 feet long, but there has been a few instances where they could grow up to 12 feet long. Compared to the other sharks on the countdown, this is probably the smallest, or one of the smallest, sharks on the Top Ten Countdown. Lengthwise, they are on the smaller side, but these sharks can weigh around 1000 pounds, which is heavy considering how long they are.

There are two types of mako sharks. There is the longfin and shortfin mako shark. The only difference between those two is that the longfin mako has larger eyes and pectoral fins. These sharks can be found virtually all over the world. They’re spotted in both shallow and deep waters and the temperature of the water doesn’t matter, they can live in cold or warm waters. Unlike some other shark species on the countdown, the mako shark is a solitary shark. It is rare if you see them with other makos. If you do see a mako in the water, be very careful. While they don’t “eat” people, they have been known to aggressively attack. These sharks are fearless and combined with the fact that they are thought to be the fastest shark out in the ocean (it’s been discovered that the salmon shark is actually the fastest, but unfortunately, the salmon shark just didn’t make the cut on the countdown) make them a top predator.

Fun Fact: The mako shark can reach speeds up to 60mph and on a regular basis they swim at 35mph.

Why did the mako shark make #4 on the countdown?

Look at the picture of the mako shark above and look at the tuna below.

Notice how their tails are exactly alike. That’s not a coincidence.

What I find most interesting about the mako shark is it’s blatant example of adaptation. What do I mean by that? Well, the tuna fish is the main prey of a mako shark. As we all know, tuna fish are an extremely fast fish species. As a result, the mako shark, over time, adapted in order to seek out and catch this prey. That’s why their tails match that of a tuna’s and that’s why the mako shark can swim up to 60 mph.

When I think of this the phrase “you are what you eat” comes to mind.

Another reason why I love the mako shark is how extraordinarily beautiful they look. There’s something elegant and serene about their shape and appearance. These sharks are considered to be fearless and you can almost see that fearlessness in their face. Whenever I look at the mako shark, I have to first look at it’s tail to discern if it is indeed a mako shark because the shark bares resemblance to a great white shark. The mako kind of looks like a baby great white and I find that completely adorable.

Even though these sharks are considered shrimps to their bigger cousins, they make up for it in speed and attitude. The mako shark makes a statement.

Who is the shark of the week?!?!?

The Megamouth Shark!!!

The Facts:

Surprisingly, this shark species was discovered in only the past thirty years! The megamouth was first discovered in 1975 when a navy ship caught one in its anchor, but it wasn’t until 1983 that it was actually proven to exist (many people believed the military was bluffing in order to attract attention). What’s really neat is that only 54 have been seen and out of those 54 only 3 have been documented on film! These sharks have been spotted around Hawaii, Japan, and other places in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. It comes to no surprise that this shark species has been deemed one of the rarest. Any kind of documentation of these sharks can be worth a lot of money to researchers because these sharks are hardly ever seen in the wild. But, before you go trying to find a megamouth, since there is extremely limited information on how these sharks interact with others researchers do not know the behavior of this shark species towards humans. They could be docile or hostile, who knows.

Many of the facts “known” about the megamouth comes through speculation. What is known, however, is that they are filter feeders. Some of their favorite food sources are jellyfish and plankton. Their jaws and gills allow them to take a mouthful of water and everything in it and filter it by the grates near their gills.

Based on pictures and videos, megamouths are believed to be from 13 to 16 feet in length and weigh up to 2,700 pounds.

This shark species looks a bit odd. Their head is large and disproportionate to their body and they have a short snout. Obviously, these sharks are known for their huge mouth and are named after this interesting feature. They have two unequal sized dorsal fins and their tail has a long upper lobe. The megamouth has a fleshy appearance so up close it kind of looks like it has many wrinkles.

Why did the megamouth make the Top Ten Shark Countdown?

As all of you can probably tell, I love sharks. So it also comes to no surprise that I watch Shark Week. Every. Single. Year. Lately, though, I’ve been disappointed with the program’s episodes. Everything seems very repetitive and it’s hard for me to learn anything new. It wasn’t until last year’s Shark Week when my love for it was rekindled.

They aired a documentary on the elusive and mysterious megamouth. I was instantly intrigued because this shark not only looks freaky, but it’s almost newly discovered. One of the reasons why no body knows much about this shark species is because they reside more towards the bottom of the ocean. I think it’s interesting how no one thinks too much of the sea floor, but there are so many undiscovered species down there.

What’s an even more amazing fact I learned about the megamouth is that it’s mouth is reflective. The inside of it’s mouth has a silvery coloring and when the mouth is opened it becomes almost a beacon of light. I found out that this aids in attracting prey down in the depths.

I can’t wait to see what else scientists and researchers learn about this shark. A megamouth shark is odd-looking, big, mysterious, intriguing, rare, and it’s number five on the countdown of Top Ten Sharks!

Who is the Shark of the Week???

The Zebra shark!!!

The Facts:

Zebra sharks are part of the order called Carpetsharks, which are named so because of the elaborate pattens on their skin. This particular species of Carpetsharks can grow up to be around twelve feet long. Like the Thresher shark, the tail of a Zebra shark is almost as long as it’s body. Carpetsharks share several features: two spineless dorsal fins (you can see this clearly in the picture above), mouths in front of their eyes, and barbels (sensory attachments) that extend from their nostrils or jaws.

Though the Zebra shark can grow up to be about 12 feet long in length, its flexible body allows it to squeeze into narrow crevices to find food. Speaking of food, these sharks eat reef mollusks, crustaceans, and other small fish.  They hunt primarily at night and rest on the sea bottom during the day. Like all bottom-dwelling sharks, the zebra shark can pump water over its gills and this allows it to “sit” on the bottom of the ocean. These sharks are found around reefs close to shore in the western Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the Red Sea.

These sharks are absolutely no threat to humans.

Interesting Fact: Zebra sharks are in the same order as the Whale shark, a gentle giant.

On a sad note, the Zebra shark is not considered to be threatened or endangered, but they are regularly taken in by inshore fisheries. Their population could start declining at any moment and then they will be on the endangered list. For the sake of how docile and lovable these sharks are we need to help them now before it gets to the point where there is a possibility of them going extinct. There has never been a case where a Zebra shark has harmed any humans and, yet, many of them are being killed by fisheries.

Why did the Zebra Shark make the Top Ten Countdown??

I chose this shark as number six on the countdown because of how interesting it is to look at. When Zebra sharks are pups their bodies are dark with yellowish stripes, thus coining the name “zebra”. As they grow up, however, these juveniles lose their stripes and in their place forms dark spots on a grayish-tan background. These sharks often get misidentified as leopard sharks (I find this a bit ironic…). This fact alone makes the Zebra shark interesting because there are a few animals in the world who make this kind of transformation in their lifetime. At least in the shark world, the only shark I know of who changes patterns on their skin is the Zebra shark.

Also, out of all sharks species, the Zebra shark’s face is perhaps the most heart-warming. The shark honestly looks like it’s smiling at you. Some people may judge me for saying this, but the Zebra shark is one of the most adorable sharks out there. Not only are these sharks harmless, but they are some of the most visually appealing sharks out there. You go cuties!

Who is the Shark of the Week?!?!?!

The Ragged-Tooth Shark!!!!

The Facts:

These sharks are also called Sand Tiger sharks, Sand sharks, Grey Nurse shark, and Ragged-Tooth shark. They can grow to be about 13 feet in length, weigh up to 250 pounds, and live to be 25 years old. These sharks can be found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. While they mostly live in shallow, coastal areas they also have been known to dive to depths of 200 feet. Instead of having serrated teeth, like many other shark species, the Ragged-Tooth shark has needle-like teeth which allows for it to grab their prey and swallow them whole.

What do they like to eat? Their preferred prey include bony fish, squid, rays, other sharks, and crustaceans.

Ragged-Tooth sharks are considered one of the most docile of shark species and this is why you will typically see them in an aquarium. But, even though they are more passive than other species, they have been known to attack humans (a very small percentage of the attacks are fatal, however), so you still need to be on your guard around them.

Interesting Fact: Ragged-Tooth Sharks are nocturnal hunters. They rest during the day, usually in caves or overhangs, so by the time nightfall comes they are ready to go on the prowl.

Also, every year, these sharks migrate over 900 miles up the South African coast in order to find a mate. At this time, you will be able to see hundreds of Ragged-Tooth sharks together.

Why did they make the Top Ten?

Probably one of the most fascinating and unusual facts about the Ragged-Tooth shark is how it keeps its’ buoyancy. Most sharks are able to be buoyant because they have oil in their liver that’s denser than the surrounding water. But, the Ragged-Tooth goes to the surface, takes a few gulps of air, and stores that air in their stomachs. This gives them the ability to remain motionless on the sea floor. There was a documentary on National Geographic about the Ragged-Tooth migration up the South African coast. In one of the segments of the episode, the diver carefully swum into a cave that was filled with numerous motionless Ragged-Tooth sharks. Can you imagine what the diver must have been feeling? I think it’s completely amazing how they sharks can stay motionless because in order for sharks to breathe they have to pass water over their gills which is only possible if they keep swimming.

Another reason why they made the list is because of their initial impression on me. The first time I went to an aquarium, that I actually remember, I saw lonely Ragged-Tooth shark swimming effortlessly in a tank. I was captivated as soon as I recognized that it was a shark. The dolphins couldn’t divert my attention from them, nor the starfish or beautifully colored tropical fish. This shark was scary looking to say the least. At that age, I wondered how such a fearsome looking creature could be contained. Then I learned how it was actually a very passive shark species. This knowledge increased my love for them because it shows you how sharks aren’t as scary as you think they are. Don’t judge a book by it’s cover, right?

Here’s to you Ragged-Tooth sharks for being #8!!!

Who is the Shark of the Week!!?!?

The Megalodon Shark!!

Quick Facts:

This shark species became extinct approximately 35 million years ago. They could grow up to be around 50 feet long, three times bigger than an average Great White shark, and weigh 100 tons. All that remains of the Megalodon sharks are their teeth and their jaws. Their teeth were over half a foot long, serrated, and heart shape. To put things in perspective…the teeth of a Great White are only about 3 inches in length. The name “Megaladon” means “Big Tooth”. This shark  was the largest prehistoric shark ever in existence.

Unlike some other prehistoric shark species, Megalodon fossils were found all over the world, leading scientists to believe that the Megalodon had a world-wide distribution. Scientists and paleontologists also believe that the main prey of Megalodons were prehistoric whales of the Pliocene and Miocene eras; other prey being dolphins, squids, and giant sea turtles.

Why did the Megalodon make the Top Ten countdown?

This shark species has to be the most fascinating sharks known in history. The sheer size alone of this shark is astounding. A whale shark only grows to be around 23-25 feet long. What’s more, a whole family of 6-8 people could stand inside the jaw of a Megalodon. This shark redefines the definition of a apex predator. As much as this shark amazes me, I am relieved that it became extinct millions of years ago. Can you imagine what it could do today? I definitely can’t.

Scientists actually don’t know what the Megalodon shark looks like. Most, if not all, of the information known on the Megalodon sharks comes from their teeth and jaws, and scientists are constantly learning new things from newly-discovered Megalodon fossils. It has been assumed that Megalodons resembled Great White sharks the most. But, what scientists can’t figure out is why the sharks went extinct. From all the information that is known on them you would think that this species was unstoppable. One of the theories as to why they went extinct is the depletion of their main food source; whales. Like the Thresher sharks from last week, this species is one of the most mysterious as well. Unlike the Thresher shark, however, scientists can’t study Megalodon sharks in the wild. If a scientist wanted to know more of the behavior of a Thresher they could go out and study the shark for a few weeks. But, the Megalodon is extinct. The amount of fossils scientists can study from the Megalodon are also limited. Basically, there’s not much to work with.

The Megalodon shark will always be one of the shark species the scientific community and the public will constantly talk about. This shark is legendary. Who wouldn’t want to know more about a 60 ft. Great White shark? The thought of this shark and what it could do sends shivers up my back. If they were still alive today, we would all be in trouble. This is why the Megalodon is number 9 on the countdown, other sharks just can’t compare. Go Megalodons!!!

Who is the Shark of the Week???

The Thresher Shark!!

The Nitty Gritty Facts:

There are three species of Thresher sharks known today; Pelagic, Bigeye, and Common. The biggest these sharks can grow up to is more than 20 ft and they can weigh around 216 pounds. Note that the Bigeye is the largest species and the Pelagic is the smallest. These sharks are classified as “slow-growing” because they reach maturity between ages 8 and 13 and, typically, have a life span of 22 years. These sharks love open and deep waters, but they can be found in shallow waters. However, they are not a threat to humans. The only thing humans have to worry about with Thresher sharks is being hit by their scythe-like tails.

Their tails are a unique characteristic of these species. They are unique because their tails are their main hunting tools. When they find a school of fish, they whip their tails around to trap and stun the fish. Their tails can grow to half of their body length and they also can make up a third of their weight. Thresher sharks have acquired their name from these powerful tails.

Not only do these sharks use their tail to hunt, but they are also masters of breaching, which is jumping out of the water. Thresher sharks are considered to be one of the most athletic  of all the sharks species. You can most likely seem them hunting large schools of fish out in the open ocean. Their main prey is tuna and mackerel, but they will also go after certain types of sea birds.

Like a large number of other shark species, Thresher sharks are largely independent, rouge hunters, but it has been documented that near the Indian Ocean there has been a group of Threshers joined together.

Another unique feature of the Thresher shark species is they have an extraordinary heat exchange system. Basically, this means that they can produce heat in their bodies by enhancing their metabolism and muscle shivering.

Why did the Thresher make the list of Top Ten Sharks?

These shark species are mysterious. There actually isn’t a lot known about them. Scientists can guess how big they can get, but there isn’t definitive proof. Same goes with their social behavior, reproduction, different species of Threshers, and habitat. Thresher sharks are on the list because of how mysterious they are. I think it’s amazing how scientists believe there may be a fourth Thresher shark species. If I was a marine biologist, my goal would be to discover more about the Thresher shark because, in reality, there is little information on this particular species and any new information would seem like a milestone in shark discoveries.

Also, their tails are a highly distinctive feature. No other shark has a tail that even compares to the Thresher shark’s. In my opinion, their long tails make them look graceful and powerful. Unlike seeing a Grey Reef shark or a Caribbean Reef shark, the Thresher shark can easily be identified. Looking at the pictures of them breaching always gets me amazed. These sharks can fly! Kudos to you Thresher sharks! You are number 10!

As this new semester unfolds before us, I have made the decision to explore my interests in a different direction. Fall Semester’s passion blog was all about running. Don’t get me wrong. Running is great, but it’s not a huge driving force in my interests. There is one word that completely enraptures and excites me to no end. This word can get me talking  for hours. At times, I even get tears in my eyes from the emotion I experience through this one word.

Sharks.

These beautiful, powerful predators dominant the deep blue sea. Hardly changing over millions of years, these creatures are nature’s perfect killing machines. There are more than 440 species of sharks and all of them are unique in their own way. They range from the tiny pygmy and cookiecutter sharks all the way to the Great White shark and Whale shark. There is something new to learn about any shark species.

First off, why do I love sharks?

It all started when I was younger. I was your typical young girl who thought she loved ponies, bunnies, and kittens. I thought they were adorable, but whenever I tried to read any information on them I zoned off. Sure, horses are interesting, but not in my mind. The ONLY animal I could ever read about was sharks. To me, they were mysterious and commanded a strong presence in the world. Also, I guess my fear of them prompted me to learn about them and, as a result, I have come to greatly respect them.

So, how am I going to go about pursuing this interest in a passion blog?

I’ve decided to do something similar to Discovery’s Shark Week. Every week I’m going to choose a shark of the week. I will relate facts about a certain species for those who are unfamiliar with the shark world and then explain why I chose that species. Also, for visual stimulation…I’m going to (try) to include photos, videos, cartoons, etc.!!! For each week I’m going to choose one of my favorites. Next week it will be my least favorite shark and then the next week it will be my second to least favorite…so on and so forth.

Also, I may take a break or two in order to touch upon the issues of shark conservation. 100 million sharks are killed every year through commercial fishing and recreation/sport. Shark conservation is becoming more and more crucial. Marine ecosystems depend on sharks to be the top of the food chain to keep everything in balance. Could you imagine an ocean without sharks? Where sea turtles and seals had complete domination? Sharks are vital and have to be protected.

I hope by sharing my views on sharks others will see the importance of them in our world. Most people have a distaste for sharks because of movies like Jaws. I want people to realize that sharks aren’t mindless killing machines, but rather they are highly complex and intelligent creatures. I want people to see the beauty I see in them. Sharks are doing something right if they virtually haven’t evolved in millions of years!