All about Sharks

1. Sharks can only be found in salt water.

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Answer explanation

FALSE. The Bull Shark is a prime example of a shark that can live both in freshwater and saltwater. There were incidents of shark attacks in a river in New Jersey at the beginning of the 20th century.

2. Sharks must eat continually in order to survive.

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Answer explanation

FALSE. Sharks must eat depending on their metabolism and availability of food. Some species only require 2% of their body weight to survive.

3. Sharks can have up to nine gills on each side of their body.

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Answer explanation

FALSE. All known shark species either have 5 or 7 gills on each side. No more. No less.

4. More shark attacks occur during the day than at night.

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Answer explanation

TRUE. Sharks hunt more at night than during the day but more shark attacks happen during daytime hours.

5. If attacked by a shark, it is recommended that you punch the shark in the nose.

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Answer explanation

FALSE. Although it has periodically been effective to ward off an attacking shark, shark experts DO NOT recommend punching a shark in the nose as a means of driving it off. It has rarely worked.

6. Sharks are immune to cancer.

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Answer explanation

FALSE. Sharks do show a strong resistance to cancer but are NOT immune to it. There is no real scientific evidence that shark cartilage pills are effective in cancer treatment.

7. The smallest species of shark in the world is the Dwarf Lanternfish.

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Answer explanation

TRUE The Dwarf Lanternfish can reach a whopping length of 8 inches.