How many species of sharks are there?
When it comes to our knowledge and understanding of marine life, the more we look the more we find.
There can be millions of different types of marine animal species in one area alone.
Each one is uniquely adapted to its habitat and environment.
Sharks are one of the most feared animals on the planet.
And up until recently, there was a great deal of mystery surrounding these apex predators.
How Many Shark Species Are Out There?
Thanks to modern research and technology, we now know that sharks are actually quite diverse, with over 500 species identified to date.
There are more than 500 known species of sharks in the world.
Other animals that are considered part of this group include skates, rays, and sawfish.
Usually, when people think about sharks they are thinking about large animals like the Great White or Hammerhead Sharks.
However, there are lots of different types of sharks out there.
Most sharks are apex predators which means they have no natural predators of their own and will only be threatened by larger species such as killer whales.
Common Misconceptions About Sharks
For a while, there was a lot of misinformation and strong opinions surrounding sharks.
They were either considered mindless killers or some kind of mythical creature that couldn’t possibly exist in real life (the likes of the Megalodon).
Now we have come to understand the truth.
Sharks are actually pretty cool, and there’s more than one reason why it is so important for us as humans to take care of them.
Some sharks also fall into the category of ‘aggressive creatures’, which means they may attack humans.
However, they will not stalk or hunt humans as prey, unlike some other deadly sea creatures.
Many sharks have been given a bad name over the years due to isolated cases of human attacks.
But with proper education, we can hopefully clear up some of those fears and misconceptions about these fascinating creatures!
