Discovering Sharks

Discovering Sharks — page 7 — ginsu shark cretoxyrhina mantelli WHEN Cretaceous Period LENGTH Up to 24 feet LOOK FOR Strong teeth coated with thick enamel that could be nearly 3 inches long SCIENCE BITE But wait there’s more Have you ever heard this line on a TV advertisement It was first used in the 1970s to sell sharp extra knives a brand named Ginsu It slices It dices It cuts through anything After studying this shark’s teeth a fossil hunter named the shark after those famous knives The ginsu shark’s razor sharp teeth could cut right through bone This huge predator was the biggest shark of its time 10

Discovering Sharks — page 8 — 11

Discovering Sharks — page 9 — 12

Discovering Sharks — page 10 — cladoselache cladoselache fyleri WHEN Devonian Period LENGTH About 4 to 6 feet LOOK FOR A mouth located at the tip of the head not underneath SCIENCE BITE These sharks are sometimes called branch toothed sharks Although not particularly sharp each tooth had several points Such teeth were helpful for grabbing prey but not tearing or chewing it This shark swallowed most of its prey whole The size and shape of this shark as well as its tail and fins tell us it was capable of great bursts of speed Will this Cladoselache speed away from this enormous predator or become its next meal The huge fish called Dunkleosteus could grow up to 30 feet It’s not a shark but belongs to a group of extinct prehistoric fishes known for their body armor edged Sharp bony plates served as teeth for these fearsome fish Cladoselache are the oldest shark fossils ever found They have helped scientists learn how ancient sharks are related to modern sharks 13

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