Sharks Great Predators Student Name

Predators Predators Secondary Consumers Primary Consumers Student Name 5/29/2018 Predators Predators Secondary Consumers Primary Consumers Primary Producers Animals at the top-level of the food chain are predators. Predators are tertiary consumers or carnivores that eat other carnivores. The second level includes secondary consumers, or carnivores that eat herbivores. The third level includes primary consumers (herbivores) that live on plants alone, and finally the bottom level includes primary producers such as bacteria, plants, or algae.” Class, Time

Shark Facts Classification Fish Location Student Name 5/29/2018 Shark Facts Classification Fish Location All seas, some species in freshwater Prey Sea animals, small plants Hunting Tools Hearing, smell, sight, teeth, strength Hunting Methods Search and pursuit, ambush, filter-feeding Fish are a group of vertebrate animals adapted to life in water. They have gills for breathing. While sharks are classified as fish, the skeletons of sharks are made of cartilage whereas other fish skeletons are made of bone. Sharks are found in all seas, but only a few species such as the bull shark and river shark can live in freshwater. The smallest species of shark is the Dwarf Lantern shark at approximately 6.7”. The largest species is the Whale shark at approximately 39’4”. Class, Time

100 species threatened to critically endangered Student Name 5/29/2018 440 + Species 100 species threatened to critically endangered Shark species include Great White sharks, Tiger sharks, Blue sharks, Mako sharks, Hammerhead sharks, Angel sharks, Bullhead sharks, and Wobbegongs. Endangered species are species that are likely to become extinct unless people take action to protect them. Class, Time

Student Name 5/29/2018 Shark teeth are embedded in the gums rather than directly affixed to the jaw and are constantly replaced throughout a shark’s life. Multiple replacement teeth are created and in some species the teeth move forward like a conveyor belt. The tooth shape depends on the shark’s diet: sharks that feed on mollusks and crustaceans have dense flattened teeth for crushing while sharks that feed on fish have needle-like teeth for gripping. Sharks that feed on larger prey such as mammals have pointed lower teeth for gripping and triangular upper teeth with serrated edges for cutting. Class, Time

Student Name 5/29/2018 Tails vary considerably between species. The amount of thrust, speed and acceleration is dependent on the tail shape. A Tiger shark tail has a large upper lobe to deliver maximum power for slow cruising or sudden bursts of speed. The Porbeagle shark which hunts schooling fish such as mackerel and herring has a large lower lobe to help it keep pace with its fast-swimming prey. Class, Time

Sharks Are Intelligent Predators Student Name 5/29/2018 Sharks Are Intelligent Predators A common misconception is that sharks are instinct-driven eating machines without intelligence. Sharks have a similar brain to body mass as that of birds. Recent studies have shown that many shark species possess powerful problem-solving skills, social skills, and a natural curiosity. Sharks are intelligent predators at the top of the food chain! Class, Time