Dogfish Dissection

The Pectoral Fin helps sharks to steer, maintain balance, and stabilize their movement in the water.

Sharks must swim continuously to ensure water flows over their gills, allowing them to extract oxygen.

Gill slits are openings that allow water to flow over the gills for respiration, typically found on the sides of a shark's head.

Sharks have very few pups at a time and take a long time to reach sexual maturity, making their populations slow to recover.

Countershading is a color pattern where the dorsal (top) side is darker than the ventral (bottom) side, helping fish avoid predators from above and below.

Spiracles are small openings behind the eyes that allow sharks to take in water for respiration, especially when they are resting on the ocean floor.

Sharks have a large oil-filled liver that helps them maintain buoyancy and reduces the need for constant swimming.

The lateral line system is a sensory organ that detects vibrations and movement in the water, helping sharks locate prey and navigate.

Sharks have sharp teeth, keen senses, and a streamlined body shape that make them effective predators.

Oviparous sharks lay eggs, while viviparous sharks give birth to live young.