10 Shark Facts for Shark Week:
1. There are more than 530 living species of sharks
2. The largest predatory sharks, such as the white shark and tiger shark, are often considered to be the apex predators.
3. It's a common misconception that no sharks ever sleep.
4. Overfishing in the late 20th and early 21st centuries substantially reduced the populations of some shark species.
5. The whale shark and the basking shark, both of which may weigh several tons, are harmless giants that subsist on plankton strained from the sea.
6. Some members of the Carcharhinus genus—most notably the bull shark - enter fresh waters.
7. Sharks circle their prey, appearing seemingly out of nowhere and frequently approaching from below.
8. The white shark, tiger and bull are the sharks most often involved in attacks on humans.
9. Many human attacks by sharks are due to mistaken identity.
10. It has been estimated that there are about 100 shark attacks worldwide per year.
"shark." Britannica Library, Encyclopædia Britannica, 30 Jul. 2024. library.eb.com/levels/referencecenter/article/shark/67153, opens a new window. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Add a comment to: Sharks! Fact & Fiction