Includes bibliographical references (pages 235-237) and index
Contents:
1. Introducing sharks, skates, rays, and chimaeras What are sharks and how are they classified How many kinds of sharks are there How did sharks get their name Where do shards live When did sharks evolve What are the largest and smallest sharks alive today What is the fastest shark What is the largest shark that ever lived Where can I find fossil shark teeth How can you tell whether a fossil shark lived in a river, a lake, or an ocean Why are sharks important Why should people care about sharks 2. Form and function of sharks What is the metabolism of a shark Are sharks cold-blooded or warm-blooded What kind of teeth do sharks have How many teeth does a shark have during its lifetime Do a shark's teeth change during its life What is the skeleton of a shark made of Does a shark have senses like ours How good is a shark's sense of smell How well can sharks hear How well can sharks see Can sharks see color How do sharks detect electric fields Do sharks sleep Do sharks have scales like other fishes How do sharks breathe under water Must a shark keep swimming to breathe How do sharks swim How do a shark's fins function during swimming How long can a shark live out of water Why do hammerhead sharks have such strange heads What kind of brains do sharks have How large is a shark's brain 3. Shark colors Why are so many sharks dark on top and light on the bottom Which sharks aren't countershaded Are any sharks colorful Are any sharks colorless What causes the different colors of sharks Is there a reason for the color patterns of sharks What color are a shark's eyes Do a shark's colors change as it grows Do a shark's colors change at different times of the day or in different seasons Is there much geographic variation in the color of a shark species 4. Shark behavior Are sharks social Do sharks form schools Can sharks tell one another apart Do sharks fight Are any sharks territorial do sharks socialize with other kinds of animals Why do sharks swim at the surface with their dorsal fins sticking out How smart are sharks Do sharks use tools Do sharks play Do sharks talk What is "tonic immobility" 5. Shark ecology Do sharks migrate How do sharks navigate How many shark species live in rivers and lakes How far down in the ocean do sharks live Which geographic regions have the most species of sharks Which sharks are most or least abundant When during the day are sharks most active How do sharks survive the winter How do sharks survive droughts Are there sharks in the desert Do sharks have any enemies other than humans How do sharks avoid predators Do sharks get sick Do sharks have parasites How can you tell if a shark is sick Are sharks good for the environment 6. Reproduction and development How do sharks reproduce Do sharks lay eggs or do they give birth to live young How long do female sharks hold young in their body How long does it take for a baby shark to hatch from an egg case Where do sharks lay their egg cases or give birth Do sharks give birth or lay their egg cases at the same times and places every year How many young does a mother shark produce How often do sharks reproduce What is a baby shark called Are all the baby sharks in a mother full siblings Do sharks care for their young How is the sex of a shark determined Can sharks reproduce asexually Is there such a thing as a hybrid shark Do male and female sharks live together At what size and age do sharks mature How long do sharks live How fast do sharks grow How can you tell the age of a shark 7. Foods and feeding What do sharks eat How do sharks find food How do sharks catch their prey When do sharks feed most How often must sharks feed Do sharks chew their food How do sharks eat hard-shelled animals Do sharks store their food Must a shark turn on its back to feed Do sharks cooperate with one another to feed 8. Sharks and humans Do sharks make good pets What is the best way to take care of a pet shark Are any medicines made from sharks Do sharks feel pain What should I do if I find an injured shark What should I do if I find a shark that looks diseases How can I see sharks in the wild How can I see sharks in captivity 9. Shark problems (from a human's viewpoint) Are some sharks pests Can there be too many sharks in an area Are sharks dangerous to people Why do sharks attack people How likely are shark attacks Can scientists estimate the size and species of a shark from bite marks How can sharks be repelled Do sharks have diseases and are they contagious Is it safe to eat sharks What should I do if I'm attacked or injured by a shark 10. Human problems (from a shark's viewpoint) Are any sharks endangered Will sharks be affected by global warming Are sharks affected by pollution How are sharks affected by litter How do people catch sharks Why do people hunt sharks How are shark fisheries managed What is bycatch and can it be reduced What is finning Is there such a thing as shark leather Is there such a thing as shark jewelry What other parts of sharks are used by humans Are boats dangerous for sharks What can an ordinary citizen do to help sharks 11. Sharks in stories, media, and literature What roles do sharks play in religion and mythology What roles do sharks play in Western religions Did early philosophers and naturalists mention sharks in their writings What roles do sharks play in various cultures What roles do sharks play in popular culture What roles have sharks played in are and literature 12. "Sharkology" Who studies sharks Can anyone study sharks Which species are best known Which species are least known How do scientists tell sharks apart How do scientists study the movements of large sharks Appendix A. Sharks, skates, rays, and chimaeras of the world Appendix B. Organizations that promote the study and conservation of sharks Appendix C. Websites that provide useful and accurate information on sharks
