Sharks are a group of elasmobranch fish characterized by a cartilaginous skeleton, five to seven gill slits on the sides of the head, and pectoral fins that are not fused to the head. Modern sharks are classified within the clade Selachimorpha and are the sister group to the Batoidea.

July 14 is Shark Awareness Shark Day, a day created to dispel myths about sharks and to raise awareness about the importance of sharks to the ocean. Let's get to know about them!

A few interesting facts are-

1) Many Sharks Species Are Endangered!!

2)Sharks Can Lose More Than 30,000 Teeth In A Lifetime

3)Coconuts Are More Dangerous Than Sharks!!

Pop culture has trained us to fear sharks, but in reality, sharks are less dangerous than a falling coconut. That’s right! Falling coconuts kill 30 times more humans annually than sharks – it sounds nutty, but it’s true! In reality, when it comes to humans vs. sharks, humans are the far more dangerous predators, killing approximately 100 MILLION sharks every year in fisheries. In comparison, only about five humans are killed each year as a result of shark attacks.

4)Sharks Can’t Get Cavities

Dentists recommend fluoride to help protect our teeth from cavities, but sharks never have to worry about brushing their teeth! This is because the surfaces of their teeth are coated in fluoride, keeping them safe from decay.

5)Shark Skin Is More Like Teeth Than Fish Scales

Sharks may look sleek and smooth, but their skin is actually made up of tiny v-shaped scales, also called dermal denticles, which are made of an inner pulp cavity and an outside layer of dentine, an enamel-like material (just like our teeth). With their scales being more similar to teeth than typical fish scales when a shark loses a denticle, it can actually fossilize over time, just like ancient shark teeth! In addition to being just plain cool, these scales also help decrease drag and turbulence, allowing sharks to swim faster and more stealthily while hunting for prey.

6)Depending On The Species, Sharks Can Give Birth In Three Different Ways!

Sharks are one of the rare animals that, depending on the species, can give live birth, lay eggs, or a combination of both. When it comes to reproduction, sharks can be:

Oviparous

Oviparous sharks lay eggs protected by an egg case, also known as a mermaid purse. The female deposits the egg cases in the ocean, and once the pups are fully developed, they will chew themselves out of the egg. About 40% of sharks are oviparous.

Viviparous

Viviparous sharks carry their embryos to term and give birth to live shark pups. This is often seen in larger species like hammerheads and blue sharks.

Ovoviviparous

Ovoviviparous sharks produce eggs, but instead of those eggs hatching outside of the body, the eggs are carried to full gestation. When the eggs hatch, the shark pups will continue developing inside the female until she gives live birth.

7)Sand Tiger Pups Eat Their Siblings In The Womb

While a female sand tiger shark is pregnant, the two largest shark pups inside her womb will consume their fellow unborn siblings. This practice, also known as intrauterine cannibalism, might seem extreme, but it helps ensure that only the strongest shark pups survive – talk about sibling rivalry!

Bonus Fact: Female sand tiger sharks have two uteruses!

8)Sharks Have A Sixth Sense!

Sharks can’t see ghosts, but they can sense what they can’t see. Sharks have a sixth sense that uses a unique organ called the ampullae of Lorenzini, which allows them to sense electrical stimuli and is especially helpful in hunting for hidden prey. In fact, great hammerhead sharks use their heads like metal detectors, waving them back and forth over the ocean floor to find and hunt stingrays.

WHY ARE SHARKS AFRAID OF DOLPHINS?

Dolphins will round up sharks, like they round up fish. Dolphins send part of the pod to attack the sharks. The pod swims round the trapped sharks, as the attackers ram their gills, and sometimes their sides, full on.

One question is- what can I do to help these creatures?

organize an event or donate to a non-profit dedicated to shark conservation such as Shark Savers and the Shark Alliance.

A simpler way is to Take direct action, like not eating fish (or at least buying sustainable fish) and not buying things containing shark products, is the best way for any individual to help sharks.

Hope that you all take action in the upcoming shark day.