More than a hundred different species of sharks live in the sea and ocean waters of the planet. Of course, the diet of each of them is unique, but there are, nevertheless, common features.
Despite the fact that sharks are predators, most of them eat meat only for the purpose of "natural selection", consuming weak or sick animals. Usually these kings of the depths feed on fish and plankton, and some even on algae.
What is included in the shark diet?
Sharks eat only once every 2-3 days, and sometimes even less often, while the size of one serving is only 3-5% of their total body weight. They only hunt in certain safe and proven areas. Sometimes sharks go hunting for large prey such as seals, squid, seals and other large seabed dwellers. The largest representatives can follow the trail of such large prey as a dolphin or sea lion. Having an impressive sense of smell, it will not be difficult for them. But for a full-fledged diet, they have enough fish, plankton, plants, crustaceans, amphibians, reptiles, as well as various food waste that enter the water thanks to humans.
What is the most omnivorous shark?
The tiger shark is the most omnivorous shark known to science. She consumes everything that comes her way, including birds, turtles, dead animals, and even common trash (tires, metal, plastic, glass, etc.). Their stomachs are designed so that as a result of digestion, they release enough gastric juice that can digest almost any material, including polymers, rubber and even stones.
When other relatives grind food with their sharp teeth, this species of shark swallows all prey whole, furiously protecting it from other inhabitants.
Despite the fact that an adult shark has 2,400 razor-sharpened teeth arranged in two rows, they chew food extremely poorly. Consumed either falls out of their mouths, or enters the esophagus in its original form.
Do sharks eat human meat?
A question that has been stirring people's imaginations for a long time. In fact, sharks attack humans only when they themselves are in danger. And then their two rows of sharp teeth play the role of not a meat grinder, but a protective mechanism. Of course, there are man-eating sharks, but they do not conduct a special hunt, but simply use everything that comes their way.
Moreover, most sharks very rarely look for prey so close to the surface of the water. They prefer to “fish” somewhere at the bottom, in quiet muddy areas. And only occasionally do they emerge from the water to profit from a bird flying by.
