St. Teresa of Avila School Albany, NY Pre-K & K 2006-07

Sharks are amazing fish that have been around since long before the dinosaurs existed. They live in waters all over the world, in every ocean, and even in some rivers and lakes.

Unlike bony fish, sharks have no bones; their skeleton is made of cartilage, which is a tough, fibrous substance, not nearly as hard as bone.

There are many different species of sharks that range in size from the size of a

person's hand to bigger than a bus. Fully-grown sharks range in size from 7 inches long, up to 50 feet long. Most sharks are intermediate in size, and are about the

same size as people, 5-7 feet long .

Sharks have a variety of body shapes. Most sharks have streamlined, torpedo-shaped bodies that glide easily through the water. Some bottom-dwelling sharks (e.g. the angelshark) have flattened bodies that allow them to hide in the sand of the ocean bed. Some sharks have an elongated body shape (e.g., cookiecutter sharks and wobbegongs). Sawsharks have elongated snouts, thresher sharks have a tremendously elongated upper tail fin which they use to stun prey, and hammerheads have extraordinarily wide heads. The goblin shark has a large, pointed protuberance on its head; its purpose is unknown.

ANGELSHARK

Angelsharks hide in sand and mud and come out at night. They have a flat body and sides that stick out like wings of angels.

COOKIECUTTER SHARK

The cookiecutter shark has a green glow from its belly. They are slow swimmers. They have triangle teeth. Their eyes are large and green in color. They take round cookie cutter-like bites out of their food.

THRESHER SHARK

They have very long tails and are strong swimmers. They can jump out of the water. Their teeth are small but very sharp. Its mouth is behind its eyes.

HAMMER HEAD SHARK

They have a thick white head shaped like a hammer. They have a very good sense of smell. They swim in warm waters.

GOBLIN SHARK

We never see the goblin shark and they are very slow swimmers. Their nose is unusual because it is very long, flat and pointed. Its jaw can open quickly to catch food. As their teeth are lost or broken they are replaced with new teeth that turn into place.