Most sharks have up to eight fins on their bodies. Most fins have a definite use while others are just an mystery. The dorsal fin is one of the most important fins that a shark may have. This fin is on the back of the shark and is often seen "slicing" through the water in many Hollywood films. This may frighten many beachgoers but the fin is just used a stabilizer. It keeps the shark from rolling onto its side when swimming. The dorsal fin is also a distinctive feature that helps us recognize that there is a shark swimming nearby. Another important pair of fins is the pectoral fins. The pectoral fins are located behind the gills near the head of the shark. These fins allow the shark to move up or down in the water. The other important fin is the caudal fin. This fin propels the shark through the water with a side-to-side motion.
Sharks may look dangerous, but they really try to stay out of your way. The Great White Shark has a behavior that is very unusual is not found in any other shark. The shark will often raise its head out of the water. You may think the shark is looking at some innocent person trying to take a swim, but they are just looking for some fish for dinner. Another behavior specific only to the Great White is repeated aerial gaping. This behavior is somewhat odd, but scientists believe they have found the answer. They believe that when a shark misses it prey, it opens it mouth greatly and shows all of its sharp teeth in frustration.
The Great White Shark has a very keen sense of smell. Even though they have such a remarkable sense of smell, their taste senses are very minimal. The scent organs of the Great White are two little capsules under the snout, each covered by a tiny flap of skin. The taste organs, which are finger-like buds, scattered over the lining of the shark’s mouth and nose. Sharks have a very unique sense of sight. When a shark is about to attack its prey, its eyelid lowers, in order to protect the sharks eye.
There are over three-hundred different kinds of sharks. The Great White Shark is not the only type of shark that roams the oceans of the world. Other sharks include: the white tipped shark, leopard shark, port Jackson shark, nurse shark, woebegone shark, hammerhead shark, angel shark, and many others! Some can be dangerous to humans, but most are not.
It seems to me that there are two main views on sharks: Those that think there are hundreds of Great White Sharks waiting to eat people at the shoreline and those that think that sharks are not really dangerous and want to pet them. Most sharks are completely harmless and have to intention of harming humans.