Although most people are familiar with 2 or 3 species of shark, such as the “acclaimed actor” the White shark or the hammerhead shark who has more popularity among the little ones being even the main character of one of the coloring books of Blue World Foundation (“Martin and his Friends” published in 2017). The number of sharks discovered so far could come as a surprise to all.
According to the national Department of Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce of the United States (NOAA), that small portion of the marine world that man has been able to know turns out to be 5% of the oceanic bodies of the world. A relatively small percentage if it is considered that more than 75% of the world is made up of water and the rest by land.
Of the 400 species discovered today there are sharks as small as the dwarf lantern shark that has a length of only 20 cm or as large as the whale shark that can be measured 12 meters long (approximately the length of a bus School).
Although sharks are believed to be strictly carnivorous and therefore dangerous to humans, the British daily Independent (Independent in Spanish) has recently been confirmed by Josh Gabbatiss’s note that a study led by Samantha Leigh The University of California has determined that there are sharks that feed mostly on herbs, from meat from other fish, crustaceans and so forth. Leigh’s studies confirmed that the shovel-head shark (scientific name Sphyrna Shark) has a consistent diet rich in 90% of seaweed, which is enough to reduce the stereotypes that revolve around sharks and their alleged endangerment. This study shows that because of the variety of sharks, these not only maintain the balance of the aquatic food chain, but also play a key role in maintaining the balance of the habitats and ecosystems in which they are present.
Sharks are interesting animals that deserve vital attention because of their magnificence and their high value to maintain the health of the oceans; as a species man has still much to discover and it is thanks to the sharks that the oceans are balanced so that the man continues to unleash his exploratory instinct and, well, if there is no field and sharks to continue discovering!
By Christian Zúñiga
References
Gabbatiss Josh Independent [online]. – 10 of 01 of 2018. – 18 of 01 of 2018. – http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/vegetarian-shark-seagrass-digest-bonnethead-scientists-university-california-a8152201.html#gallery.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration U. S Department of Commerce National Ocean Service [online]. – 18 of 01 of 2018. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/exploration.html. World Wild Life WWF [online]. – 18 of 01 of 2018. – Https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/shark.
