(credit: Morné Hardenberg / Atlantic Edge Films)
Hey guys! From the four years I have been with my fiancé, I have learned a lot about sharks from her (I mean she is filled with random weird facts, I don't even know how she comes across them). Back to the subject, Maria is obsessed with sharks, she lives her life like it is shark week. Here are some of my favorite JAWsome (her word) facts:
- A male shark has two penises which are called "claspers". (It was also the password to our wifi for several years, imagine the look on our guests' faces when I had to explain to them what a clasper was.)
- A cookie cutter shark is one of the smallest sharks and their bites resemble a cookie shape.
- Engineers research sharks to gain a better understanding on movement and design for ships and rockets.
- Humans are sharks' most deadliest predator.
- Shark teeth are inexpensive because sharks shed their teeth constantly.
- Most sharks species will drown if they stop moving. Apparently some sharks sleep while they swim.
- Sharks that are not born yet, sometimes eat their siblings inside their mother's womb. (Talk about absorbing your twin, ha!)
- Bull sharks are fond of freshwater. (Thanks Maria, I will just stay on land)
- A shark can dislocate their upper jaw to help grab their prey.
- Baby sharks are called "pups".
- The Blue Shark can give birth to up to 135 pups in one litter. (Nope that is not a typo)
- A female shark has tougher skin than male sharks, because males bite the females during mating.
- The Greenland Shark probably reminds me of my girl. Why? Well the Greenland Shark is one of the slowest moving fish, kind of like Maria when she gets ready to do anything!
- Gestation period for a pregnant female shark can range from 5 months to 2 years!
- Some female sharks use sperm from multiple males to reproduce, so the pups are half-siblings.
Until next time Maria talks my ear off.