9781422276747

shark is known for swimming in this river as well. Ganges sharks are true river-only sharks and likely are unable to migrate to salt water. Scientists are working to learn more about the Ganges shark, as they are rare, difficult to spot, and pose a possible danger to those working to learn more about them.

This drawing depicts a Ganges shark. They’re so rare, it’s difficult to get pictures of them.

SHARK MYTH: SHARKS LIKE TO EAT PEOPLE. For a shark, eating a person is like humans eating broccoli. Most of us don’t care for it, and it’s not our first choice. Sharks prefer prey that is meaty and loaded with fat, as they need a high number of

calories to support their high activity levels. Most sharks need to swim constantly in order to keep water moving over their gills. When water runs over a shark’s gills, this provides them with oxygen, just like breathing provides people with oxygen. This constant need to swim uses a lot of energy. People simply do not have enough fat to meet the caloric needs of a shark. When sharks attack people, it is usually because they feel that their safety, or the safety of their pups, has been threatened. In addition to attacking to protect themselves, many sharks are territorial—they don’t like people or animals to be in their personal space, whether they perceive a threat or not. SIDEBAR

14