The Truth About Sharks

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Super senses, sharp teeth, and tall, pointed fins are just a few of the things that make sharks such intimidating predators. With a world full of scary shark stories in books, movies, and on TV, it's no wonder these creatures have gained such a fearsome reputation. What many don't know, however, is that sharks are not just frightening and dangerous hunters but also incredibly fascinating and complex animals. And while shark infested waters do indeed exist, the truth is that a human is statistically more likely to be hurt by a vending machine than attacked by a shark.

To dispute some of the most notorious myths about sharks, here are some completely true and scientific facts for your reading pleasure.

Sharks don't have any bones. Not a single one! While our skeletons are built from hard bones, sharks have skeletons made completely of cartilage.
Image via Sharks4Kids
Sharks have been around for a long time. Scientists guess that the oldest sharks might have existed over 400 million years ago, even before dinosaurs!
Sharks can see things very clearly. They can see colors, at night, and in the deepest and darkest of ocean caves.
Image via Apex Shark Expeditions
Sharks do indeed have a great set of teeth. Great white sharks have 7 rows of 300 sharp, triangular teeth and can go through even more than that in their lifetimes.
Image via Bone Clones
There are more than 500 different species of sharks that come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors.
Sharks are actually picky eaters. They always take a single bite out of their meal first, just to try it!
Image via Mote Marine Labratory & Aquarium
There's even one type of shark that's omnivorous, meaning they eat both meat and plants! The bonnethead shark can be found chowing down on seagrass in addition to their usual meal of crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish.