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Main Characteristics of Sharks and Rays

  • There are about 500 species of sharks and 630 species of rays.
  • Some of the most well-known sharks are the great white shark, reef shark, bull shark, tiger shark, hammerhead shark, whale shark, and megalodon.
  • The most well-known rays are the Giant Oceanic Manta Ray, Southern Stingray, and Spotted Eagle Ray.
  • Both sharks and rays are carnivores. They hunt for fish, small crustaceans, invertebrates, clams, crabs, and echinoderms.
  • Sharks have a unique tooth system: when one tooth falls out, another one moves in to take its place, kind of like how a bullet is loaded into a revolver.
  • Rays have flat bodies and large wing-like pectoral fins. Their mouths, nostrils, and gills are located on the underside of their bodies.
  • Some rays have a venomous sting.
  • The largest shark is the whale shark, which can grow up to 41.5 feet (12.65 meters) long and weigh as much as 47,000 pounds (21.5 tons).
  • The smallest shark is the Dwarf lanternshark, measuring only 6.2 inches (16 cm) in length and weighing around 5.2 ounces (150 grams).
  • The biggest ray is the Giant oceanic manta ray, reaching lengths of up to 23 feet (7 meters) and weighing up to 5,300 pounds (2.4 tons).
  • The smallest ray is the lesser electric ray, which is only 18 inches (45 cm) long and 8 inches (20 cm) wide.

Species List


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