Sharks are feared throughout the world, but they need protection too. (Photo courtesy of SharkWeek)

As the feared hunters of the ocean, sharks have long been persecuted and misunderstood. However, when I was a kid, I never saw them as vicious creatures. I was always fascinated and constantly reading up on my shark facts (just ask my parents). Here are five of my favorites:

1. As hunters, sharks rely on their keen sense of smell to find their next meal. They can smell a single drop of blood from over a mile away. In terms of relative volume, this is comparable to detecting a golf ball in Loch Ness.
2. The shark has the greatest electrical sensitivity of any animal. They have electroreceptors near their eyes and nose called Ampulae of Lorrenzini, which helps them sense electric fields emitted by other living creatures. By detecting these electric fields, sharks can find prey hidden in the sand.
3. Most sharks give birth to fully-developed babies, known as pups. In the womb, the litter of fully-grown pups wrestle for the limited space and will eat each other until there are only a few pups left. When they are born, they only have ...

Link to original article / Continue Reading...

Wildlife Promise ... National Wildlife Federation Blogs.