Shark Facts vs. Fiction
Fact Or Fiction: Sharks have bony skeletons...
Fiction: Sharks have skeletons made of cartilage
What is the practice that involves catching sharks, cutting off their fins, and discarding the rest of their body, contributing significantly to shark population decline.
Answer: What is shark finning?
On average, this is the number of unprovoked shark attacks that occur worldwide each year.
Based on the information from the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), the average number of unprovoked shark attacks that occur worldwide each year is around 60 to 65.
This number fluctuates from year to year. For example, the 2024 total of 47 confirmed unprovoked cases was in line with the most recent five-year (2019-2023) average of 64 incidents annually. Other sources cite averages around 63 or 70.
This group of vegetarian sharks, including Bruce, Chum and Anchor, appeared in Finding Nemo. What was their motto?
The group of vegetarian sharks in Finding Nemo, which includes Bruce and Anchor, is called the Fish-Friendly Sharks support group. This group promotes the motto "Fish are friends, not food."
This sensory organ runs along the shark's body, helping it detect vibrations and movements in the water.
The sensory organ that runs along the shark's body, helping it detect vibrations and movements in the water, is the lateral line.
Explanation:
Fact Or Fiction: Sharks have smooth skin...
Fiction! Shark skin is covered in dermal denticles, which give it a sandpaper like texture
This well-known, iconic shark species is critically endangered and can grow up to 6 meters in length.
Answer: What is the Great Hammerhead Shark?
This is the name of the island off the coast of Maine where the fatal shark attack in 2020 occurred.
The fatal shark attack in Maine in 2020 occurred off the coast of Bailey Island. This island is part of the town of Harpswell. The victim was swimming in Mackerel Cove when the attack took place.
This animated movie features a talking fish named Oscar who falsely claims to have killed a shark.
That would be Shark Tale.
Explanation:
This type of jewelry is discouraged when swimming because its reflection can resemble fish scales.
The type of jewelry discouraged when swimming because its reflection can resemble fish scales is shiny jewelry.
Explanation:
Sharks are attracted to shiny objects because their reflection can look like fish scales, which are a food source. Rings, necklaces, gold chains, and other reflective, metallic jewelry can be mistaken by sharks as a potential meal, increasing the risk of a "hit-and-run attack" where the shark bites to investigate.
Fact or Fiction: Sharks are immune to cancer...
Fiction. While some studies suggest a strong resistance, sharks are not immune to cancer.
This many million sharks are estimated to be killed each year, mainly due to commercial fisheries.
Answer: What is 100 million?
This is the number of fatal shark attacks confirmed in Maine's history, as of the 2020 incident.
As of the 2020 incident, the number of fatal shark attacks confirmed in Maine's history is one. This was the attack on Julie Dimperio Holowach off Bailey Island.
True or False: The Megalodon, an ancient giant shark, might still exist in the deepest parts of the ocean.
False. Megalodons are believed to have gone extinct millions of years ago, and there is no scientific evidence of their continued existence.
Unlike dolphins or whales, sharks lack these, making them unable to make noise.
Vocal Cords
Explanation:
Fact or Fiction: Sharks can smell a single drop of blood from a mile away.
Answer: Fiction (mostly). While they have an acute sense of smell, the notion of detecting a single drop from a mile away is an exaggeration.
Sharks are often worth more alive than dead, with a single reef shark in Palau estimated to be worth this many dollars over its lifetime for tourism.
Answer: What is $1.9 million?
Research shows sharks like Maine beaches, particularly in this season
Based on the research and monitoring efforts after the 2020 fatal attack, sharks are particularly attracted to Maine beaches in late summer.
Explanation:
This DC Comics character, also known as Nanaue, is a human-eating shark voiced by Sylvester Stallone in The Suicide Squad.
The DC Comics character, also known as Nanaue, who is a human-eating shark voiced by Sylvester Stallone in The Suicide Squad is King Shark.
Explanation:
This sense, possessed by sharks due to the ampullae of Lorenzini, allows them to detect electrical stimuli.
Answer: What is their sixth sense (electrosensitivity)?
Fact or Fiction: Some sharks can only bite if they roll over.
Fiction. The structure of their jaws allows them to bite in various positions.
This U.S. law, signed in 2011, prohibits the cutting of shark fins at sea and the possession of fins that are not naturally attached to the shark carcass.
What is the Shark Conservation Act of 2010?
After the 2020 fatal attack, the Maine Department of Marine Resources started this to study shark activity.
Monitoring white shark activity
Explanation:
After the fatal shark attack in Maine in 2020, the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) began actively monitoring white shark activity in the Gulf of Maine. Their goal is to improve understanding of the distribution and habitat use patterns of these sharks in coastal Maine waters. This research helps with public safety at beaches and provides valuable data for scientific research and outreach
This movie features genetically engineered mako sharks that are smarter and larger than normal, posing a threat to the scientists who created them.
The movie featuring genetically engineered mako sharks that are smarter and larger than normal, posing a threat to the scientists who created them is Deep Blue Sea.
Explanation:
True or False: Sharks must keep swimming constantly to survive.
That statement is False.
Explanation:
While it was once believed that all sharks had to keep swimming constantly to survive, this is not true for all species.