Shark Senses
Sharks have six highly refined senses: smell, hearing, touch, taste, sight, and electromagnetism. These finely honed senses, along with a sleek, torpedo-shaped body, make most sharks highly skilled hunters. They often serve as top predators—keeping populations of prey species in check. Removing them in large numbers can have ripple effects that throw entire ecosystems out of balance.
Read the blog Do Sharks Smell in Stereo? and watch this photo slideshow of a great white shark hunting to learn more about how a shark uses its senses. Discover more about shark's biology, habitat, and status in the Great White Shark section.
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Comments
This only shows a diagram.It has no information.
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 03/17/2010 - 8:10pm.Thanks for your interest in learning more. You can see the full description of shark senses and other information by clicking the link in the description above the image. It links to an entire page on the life and natural history of the great white shark.
Submitted by Ocean Portal Team on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 11:29am.This rendering is not of a great white shark.
Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 06/05/2010 - 12:36pm.You're right--good eye! We've fixed this. Thank you.
Submitted by Ocean Portal Team on Mon, 06/07/2010 - 5:53pm.comment_wrapper_curve


























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