Do sharks lay eggs or give birth to live young? Do sharks sleep? How
long do they live? How likely are shark attacks? This book answers your
questions about some of nature's most misunderstood animals.
Answering every conceivable question about sharks, authors Gene Helfman
and George H. Burgess describe the fascinating biology, behavior,
diversity (there are more than 1,000 species worldwide), and cultural
importance of sharks, their close relationship to skates and rays, and
their critical role in healthy ecosystems.
Helfman and Burgess take readers on a round-the-world tour of shark
habitats, which include oceans as well as lakes and even rivers (as far
up the Mississippi as St. Louis). They describe huge, ferocious
predators like (Great) White and Tiger sharks and species such as
Basking and Whale sharks that feed on microscopic prey yet can grow to
lengths of more than 40 feet. The mysterious and powerful Greenland
shark, the authors explain, reaches a weight of 2,200 pounds on a diet
of seal flesh. Small (less than 2-foot long) Cookiecutter sharks attack
other sharks and even take a chunk out of the occasional swimmer.
Despite our natural fascination with sharks, we have become their worst
enemy. Many shark species are in serious decline and a number are
threatened with extinction as a result of overfishing and persecution.
Sharks: The Animal Answer Guide presents a perfect mix of current
science, history, anthropology, intriguing facts, and gripping
photographs. Whether your fascination with sharks stems from fear or
curiosity, your knowledge of these animals will improve immensely when
you consult this book.
