Page 65 - Shark

recording skaTe and ray egg cases
Like sharks, certain kinds of ray and skate are also under threat.
The UK-based conservation charity, the Shark Trust, has a
simple way for people to help monitor ray and skate around
the British coast. Recording empty egg cases that wash up
on beaches may give clues as to the whereabouts of skate
and ray nursery grounds. This may allow these important
areas to be protected.

learning abouT sharks
Join a conservation organization that works to help
protect marine life in the oceans and seas. Look out
for informative articles in wildlife magazines and for
other books about sharks. There are also interesting
underwater programs on television which, unlike
the scary Jaws movies, tell the real story about sharks.
Aim to volunteer to help marine biologists in their
research programs, like the Earthwatch research
in the Bahamas in the Caribbean. There is still so
much more to be discovered about sharks.

A sketch of a classic requiem shark,
with its streamlined body and highly
efficient system of movement that
complements its predatory lifestyle

A typical mackerel
shark, which is
stouter than a
sharks on file requiem shark
Visiting aquariums, keeping a shark notebook,
drawing pictures of sharks, or copying them from
photographs, are good ways of seeing how many
different kinds of shark there are. Compare the Sketching sharks
sharks’ colors, variety of skin patterns, and the can be fun as
different body shapes. Eventually, a valuable shark well as useful
information file can be built up. Note down the
size, diet, natural habitat, and how the various
sharks differ. On sketches, label their external
features, like fins, gill slits, eyes, and
mouth. With some effort, anyone
can become more of an expert
on sharks.

Noting down your
observations can help
build up a valuable Pastels
shark information file
Pencils