Page 52 - World of Animals - Book of Sharks & Ocean Predators

Sharks & Ocean Predators
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hunting hot spots. University of Florida shark as they are attached by cartilage rather than will tailor its tactics depending on the prey.
researcher George Burgess sums it up best: bone. This happens so frequently that a shark While the ambush works for Cape fur seals in
“Sharks are like many other predators that have can have over 300 teeth in its mouth at any one South Africa, when faced with the much larger
developed patterns to their attacking, which are time - crucial for a successful killer. elephant seal off California, the great white

obviously beneficial as a species.” It’s not only the teeth that make a shark’s bite aims to bite the hindquarters to stop the seal
Sharks have been patrolling the oceans for truly fearsome though, as they have a unique in its tracks and then waits while its victim
about 450 million years and it’s believed that structure where the upper jaw is not attached bleeds to death. Smaller harbour seals, however,
the great white is an ancient relative of one of to the skull, like a human mouth. Like other are grabbed from the surface and dragged
the deadliest killers the ocean has ever known sharks, the great white’s jaw is held in place by underwater until they give up the struggle.
– the Megalodon. This giant clocked in at 17 connective tissue so the entire mouth can thrust California sea lions are talented swimmers and
metres (55 feet) and weighed 25 tons, with a outward from the head in order to latch onto its are typically attacked from below, hit mid-body
mouth that could swallow five adult humans in prey, and this bite force has been estimated at and then hauled to the depths. Dolphins present

one gulp. But as these monsters began to die an unbelievable 4,000 pounds per square inch. a trickier kill, though, as they are wisely cautious
out, the mammals we know today – dolphins, Generally, the species is a grey, brown of the great white and have echolocation to
whales, seals – began to flourish and became a or blue colour that blends in with the water boot, so the shark attempts to go undetected

veritable blubber buffet for the shark. The great and rocks, making it tricky to spot from by striking from above, behind or below.
white is a true survivor, evolving to become the above. When viewed from the side, the great Cunning and clever, the great white shark
most formidable predator of the ocean today. white’s universally white underbelly (known is the apex predator of the ocean, and yet the
Just like its terrifying ancestors, the grite as countershading) makes the outline diffi cult IUCN lists the great white as Vulnerable. Trophy

white’s only real weapon is the toothy grin. to define. The unique skin texture is also fishing and the commercial fi shing industry

Inside those gaping jaws are several rows of part of shark’s secret to sneaking up on prey are to blame for the decline in numbers, but

triangular, serrated blades that are typically undetected. Unlike regular fish scales, their without this remarkable species, the oceans

over seven centimetres (three inches) long. skin is covered in flat, v-shaped scales called would suffer. This is because great whites don’t
The top set are broader, designed for tearing dermal denticles (tiny skin teeth) that would feel just devour healthy prey, they also scavenge
through chunks of flesh and bone, while the smooth if you were to stroke a shark from head on weak, injured and even dead creatures

thinner lower teeth grip onto the prey to hold to tail, but rough if rubbed the other way. These too, performing a crucial role in keeping the
it in place. This enables the great white to feast denticles are lightweight, reducing drag and ocean clean. The great white ensures that

on carcasses that would be too big to swallow enabling the shark to swim faster and preserve other species are kept fitter and stronger by
whole. Feasting solely on meat, the great white energy, as well as decreasing water turbulence eliminating the weak and feeding on animals
doesn’t need grinders for chewing on plants, so from swimming. This makes the shark a silent such as seals and whales that have few

every chopper is sharp and pointed. Whenever assassin, giving enormous advantages. predators. It’s survival of the fittest and the
a tooth is lost or broken there are several rows Designed for stealth and built for the kill, great white shark is a shining example that we
of teeth behind it, ready to move into position, the shark is also extremely intelligent and should strive to protect.
“The great white is an
ancient relative of one of
the deadliest killers the

ocean has ever known”

Eyes shut
Seals can cause damage to
sharks’ eyes, so they will roll
them back into their head
when attacking, to prevent
them from losing their sight.
Open wide
A shark’s jaws are not
connected to the skull,
enabling them to thrust
forward when the prey
is within reach.

Surprise attack
The great whites boost
their chances of success
by launching a vertical
charge from the depths
to surprise their target.

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