Sharks

🦈 Predators of the ocean

Did you know that some sharks can detect a drop of blood from miles away? Today you’ll dive into the world of these formidable marine animals, discover how they live, why they are essential to the balance of the oceans, and how the movie Jaws made us see them differently.

🧬 What are sharks?

Sharks are cartilaginous fish with agile and fast bodies.

• They have a skeleton made of cartilage, not bone.
• There are more than 500 species distributed throughout the oceans.
• They are covered by scales called dermophytes, which reduce friction in the water.

🔍 In Jaws, the great white shark represents fear of the unknown. But in real life, they are more than a threat: they are key players in their ecosystem.

🦷 Impressive anatomy

Sharks have incredible adaptations for survival:

• They have multiple rows of teeth that are constantly replaced.
• They can have up to 20,000 teeth in their lifetime.
• They have a special organ: the ampulla of Lorenzini, which detects electric fields.

🤯 Did you know…?
Some sharks can detect the heartbeat of their prey… even if it’s buried in the sand!

🐟 Predatory behavior..

Each species has a different hunting technique:

• The white shark jumps out of the water to catch prey.
• The hammerhead shark detects fish on the sea floor.
• The tiger shark moves stealthily without being detected.

📽️ In Jaws, the threat of the shark changes the rhythm of life in the coastal town. This story reflects how a single predator can alter human behavior.

🌍 Their role in the ecosystem

Sharks are top predators:

• They control populations of marine species.
• They eliminate weak or sick animals, keeping ecosystems healthy.
• They indirectly protect habitats such as coral reefs.

🌱 The disappearance of sharks could alter the entire marine food chain.

🌊 Where do they live?

Sharks inhabit from tropical waters to cold depths.

• Some live close to shore, others in the open ocean.
• Species like the great white shark migrate long distances.
• The goblin shark lives more than 1,000 meters under the sea.

🚨 Endangered

Millions of sharks are killed every year for their fins.

• Many species are in danger of extinction.
• Their disappearance would have serious ecological consequences.
• Indiscriminate fishing is one of the greatest threats.

🛡️ How to protect them

• Support sustainable fishing.
• Protect breeding grounds.
• Raise awareness of their ecological value.

💡 In Jaws, you form a team to hunt the shark. But in real life, we must unite to save them!

▶️ Watch this video to learn more

🔗 Sharks : National Geographic

💭 Your mind in action

💬 Reflect:

• Why do you think sharks have been portrayed as villains in movies?
• What would happen if they disappeared from the oceans?
• What role do humans have in protecting these animals?
• How can movies influence our perception of nature?

🧠 Your turn:
Write a list of five reasons why sharks are important to the planet.

🎨 Creative challenge:
Design a label or poster for a shark protection campaign.

🔍 Want to know more?

Other topics you may want to research:

• What is cartilage and how is it different from bone?
• How are underwater scenes filmed in movies?
• Which shark species are most endangered?
• Who was Jacques Cousteau?

🛠️ Show what you know

Choose one or more activities to capture your learning:

📝 Write a chronicle about a diver’s first encounter with a shark.
🎤 Record a short podcast explaining why sharks should not be feared.
🧑‍💻 Create an infographic with fun facts about shark species.
🎭 Act out a scene from Jaws, but from the shark’s point of view.
📸 Document a model of a shark’s marine habitat, with explanatory labels