Why is it that so many people are interested in sharks? It seems like an almost instinctual love/hate relationship. Whether you are in awe of them or terrified by them, there seems to be something about these aquatic beasts, that have been around since prehistoric times, that intrigues us.
In celebration of this year's Shark Week on Discovery Channel, here are 11 awesome (and some terrifying) shark facts.
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1. The world's largest great white shark, Deep Blue, is 20 feet long!
Typically, great white sharks can grow to up to 15 feet in length and weigh up to 5,000 pounds. To learn more about great whites and Deep Blue, check out "Jaws of the Deep" on Discovery this Shark Week!
2. Sharks have been on Earth for 400 million years and have survived 5 massive extinctions.
The dinosaurs didn't make it, but it looks like sharks are here to stay.
3. Despite being seen as one of the most deadly predators, you are more likely to be killed by bees or dogs than by sharks!
4. Sharks have an average of 30,000 teeth over the course of their life!
5. The prehistoric Megalodon grew up to 60 feet in length and is believed to be the largest shark to have existed.
6. Sharks have a nearly 360 degree view of the world, thanks to their eye placement on the sides of their head.
They only have two blinds spots, directly in front of their snout and behind their head.
7. Not all sharks are big and scary! The Pygmy shark is one of the smallest, with an average length of 8 inches.
These sharks can even create their own light, which helps with hunting underwater.
8. Sharks never get sick! Well, almost never. While the average lifespan for a shark is 25, some sharks can live to be 100 years old!
They can live so long because they have a very low chance of catching diseases. Because their skeletons are made entirely of cartilage, they are less likely to develop tumors and have stronger immunity.
9. Sharks can sense danger before they are even born!
Shark embryos can sense approaching predators by their movement, and will stop breathing and freeze to "hide."
10. Some sharks are "vegetarian."
While they don't exactly eat plants, basking sharks, whale sharks, and megamouth sharks only feed on plankton. At least you know you are safe from being these sharks next meal!
11. Despite being an incredibly resilient species and fearsome predator, sharks have more reason to fear us than we have to fear them! Humans are shark's number one predator.
Whether you love them or hate them, you have to admit sharks are one incredible creature.
Happy Shark Week!
