Top 10 Quirkiest SharksBy Cristen Conger, HowStuffWorks.com
 Get More HSWThe Jaws franchise has shaped the popular perception of sharks as huge, bloodthirsty beasts that exist to ruin beach vacations. However, that plotline is based more on fantasy than fact. More than 400 identified shark species roam the global seas, and a majority of them prefer to keep a safe distance from humans. In fact, the deeper you dive into the vast shark catalogue, the more you realize how strange and downright quirky many of these animals are. To glimpse at the amazing variety of the world's fiercest fish, check out these 10 sharks of various shapes, sizes and bizarre habits. 10. WHALE SHARKS: From their name, you may have already guessed that whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are pretty big creatures. Indeed, they rank as the largest shark species, weighing in at an estimated 60 tons (54,400 kilograms) and growing longer than 60 feet (18 meters). That enormous size -- three times that of the average shark -- also makes the whale shark the largest fish in the ocean. Such an enormous shark may send shivers down your spine, but these fish are actually gentle giants. Although their mouths are packed with 300 rows of stubby teeth on the top and bottom, whale sharks aren't going after big kills. Instead, these filter feeders dine on microscopic plankton siphoned from the water. Thanks to their nonthreatening eating habits, eco-tourists and adventurers can swim alongside whale sharks safely. |
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