The Galapagos Shark
Features * The Galapagos shark was named after the islands where the shark was found. The Galapagos shark is a large, thin shark. The shark is brownish or grey black and has black sides and a white underside. PICTURE The first dorsal fin shark was tall, narrow and almost straight, and a low ridge leads to the small, second dorsal fin. The trailing edges of the fins may be darker than the rest of the body, and the tips may be a dusty colour. The shark is slightly different to most sharks because it has a rounded snout. The Galapagos shark is a carnivore which means it only consumes meat. The Galapagos shark can grow up to 3.7m long and can have up to 16 pups every 2 – 3 years. A Galapagos shark can weigh up to 85.5kg. A shark’s sense of smell is extremely accurate, and is probably its most important sense. Unlike land animals, the nostrils are not used for breathing in any way, and are not even connected to the mouth. Instead, they are used to smell, and sharks can detect tiny amounts of blood, as small as one drop of blood in 378 litres of water, from an injured fish.
Habitat
* Galapagos sharks can live in the waters of nearly all oceans, but they are usually found in the waters of the tropical seas along Mexico, South America, Africa, and the Galapagos islands. They prefer to live in clear, tropical waters. As they are a coastal species, they prefer to live with a rocky or coral bottom, rather than a sandy bottom picture, and will often cross open waters between islands. * Their ability to detect electrical impulses may be one reason why some species find it impossible to survive in aquariums. * The blast of electrical impulses in an aquarium may alter and confuse their senses. Scientists have even discovered that the Galapagos shark can detect the small electrical impulses from the heart beat of sting rays hiding underneath the sand.
Behavioural adaptations * The Galapagos has upper teeth that are triangular and serrated which means this
Habitat
* Galapagos sharks can live in the waters of nearly all oceans, but they are usually found in the waters of the tropical seas along Mexico, South America, Africa, and the Galapagos islands. They prefer to live in clear, tropical waters. As they are a coastal species, they prefer to live with a rocky or coral bottom, rather than a sandy bottom picture, and will often cross open waters between islands. * Their ability to detect electrical impulses may be one reason why some species find it impossible to survive in aquariums. * The blast of electrical impulses in an aquarium may alter and confuse their senses. Scientists have even discovered that the Galapagos shark can detect the small electrical impulses from the heart beat of sting rays hiding underneath the sand.
Behavioural adaptations * The Galapagos has upper teeth that are triangular and serrated which means this