Sharks for Kids | Learn all about these big fish!

Did you know that sharks have been in the oceans for over 400 million years? That means sharks were swimming in the oceans before the dinosaurs existed. And they haven’t changed much over time. While sharks often have a bad reputation, they are amazing animals that don’t want to hurt humans. Their enormous mouths and super sharp teeth make them one of the most frightening animals on the planet.

There are as many different eating habits as there are sharks. Most sharks are carnivores and very efficient predators. They eat fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. Large sharks will also eat dolphins, seals, sea lions, tuna, and mackerel. But some like to eat seabirds and even plankton! And tiger sharks prefer turtles while blue sharks enjoy squid. What they eat and what is available depends on where the sharks live. Different types of prey live in other parts of the ocean.

The demand for fins, overfishing, and human disturbance threaten shark populations. It is important not to eat shark fin soup and to know which fish species you purchase at the market. A quarter of the world’s shark species are currently threatened with extinction. In addition, climate change is forcing sharks to move to waters they are not familiar with. Though climate change dramatically affects the shark habitat and behavior, commercial fishing remains the greatest threat to the shark population