Shark Myths Quiz: Sharky Senses
It's shark season, which means Discovery Channel's annual Shark Week is almost here. Before the week of razor teeth and ominous fins begins, take our quiz to see if you know your shark facts from fiction. (Hint: Don't believe everything you saw in Jaws.)
Shark Myths Quiz:
3.) Sharks have more than five senses. True or False?
Answer:
True! Sharks may seem like senseless, mindless eating machines, but the truth is they're highly developed creatures who have been around long enough to evolve into the perfect exploiters of their environment.
Sharks can actually detect electric fields with a "sixth sense" that helps them know where food is and how far away. These masterful predators have a thick gel in their snouts, which acts as a thermostat that can detect temperature changes from animals in the water and turn it into electricity. Every time something moves in the water, a shark can sense the change or displacement in the electric field. Pretty cool, huh?
Even more, sharks have extra-strong senses all around. They can sniff out a drop of blood from a quarter of a mile away, and their eyes are well-suited for dim light and murky waters. It's no question that sharks are equipped for their predator lifestyles.
READ MORE:
Gorilla Goes to Emergency Room
Video: Microscopic Art in a Drop of Water
--image by istock/NaluPhoto
