Outside and Inside Sharks

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Miles

Outside and Inside Sharks explains how sharks function by contrasting their anatomy and behaviors with other fish. It introduces key survival systems such as oxygen intake through gills, tail structure differences, and the internal skeleton made of lightweight cartilage rather than hard bone. The text also describes how calcium layers in a shark’s spinal column help scientists estimate age. Designed for young readers, it uses vivid questions and visuals to guide exploration of sharks’ diets, anatomy, and reproduction.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages44

Reading Time1 h 8 min

AccessFree to download

Reef Shark

Shark Skeleton

Bony Fish Skeleton

EAN Boston Public Library 点 ■ —2.5 地'Ud !rsoa., 33 SBN 0-689-82683-4 US$5.991$8.50 CAN AI4D101N PAPE8△CKirNrAVNo longer the propery of reBoston Puclie Library.Sale of this matenal benefited the Libroee For Diana Massengale,whose friendship helps mesurvive swimming with the sharks The author would like to thank Dr.Wesley R.Strong,marine biologist,University of California,Santa Barbara;Dr.H.Wesley Pratt,University of Rhode Island National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries;Dr.Edward Hodgson,Tufts University;Dr.Seymour Zigman,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester Medical Center;Dr.Sanford Moss,University of Massachusetts,North Dartmouth;Hera Konstantinou,Department of Wildlife and Fisheries,Texas A&M University;and Dr.Adrianus Kalmijn,Scripps Oceanographic Institution,for sharing their expertise and enthusiasm. First Aladdin Paperbacks edition May 1999Copyright ◎1996 by Sandra Markle Aladdin Paperbacks An imprint of Simon &Schuster Children's Publishing Division1230 Avenue of the AmericasNew York,NY 10020 All rights reserved,including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Also available in an Atheneum Books for Young Readers hardcover edition. 能2000WV BR Book design by Anne Scatto /PIXEL PRESSThe text of this book is set in 16 pt Melior. QL638.9 .M28 Printed in Hong Kong 1996 10987654321 The Library of Congress has cataloged the hardcover edition as follows:Markle,Sandra.Outside and inside sharks /by Sandra Markle.—1st ed. Includes index. p. Cm. Summary:Describes the inner and outer workings of sharks,including their diet,anatomy,and reproduction.ISBN 0-689-80348-6(hc.) 1.Sharks—Juvenile literature.[1.Sharks.]I.Title.QL638.9.M281996597.31—dc2095-30245CIP ACISBN 0-689-82683-4(Aladdin pbk.) .NoTE:To help readers pronounce words that may not be familiar to them,there is a pronunciation guide on page 37.These words are italicized the first time they appear. S harks are awesome!Would you believe that a shark can locate ananimal hiding under the sand on the sea bottom?Or that it can trackdown a wounded animal too far away to be seen?How can a shark dothose things?And why do some sharks that are bigger than a city bus haveteeth so tiny they're almost invisible?What do these shark giants eat?This book will let you explore all these questions and more.You'll eventake a peek inside a shark as you learn its secrets. # REEF SHARK Look at the reef shark and the soldier fish.They are both fish.Theyboth need oxygen,a gas in air and water,to live.And they both havespecial body parts called gills that carry oxygen from the water into theirbodies.But there are differences between sharks and other fish.A shark'sgills are in separate pouches with slits opening to the inside and outsideof its body.The soldier fish,and other fish like it,have gills grouped inone chamber covered by a protective plate called the operculum. A shark's tail usually has a top part that is longer than the bottom.Other fish usually have tails with two equal parts.But the biggestdifference between sharks and other fish is on the inside. SHARK SKELETON BONY FISH SKELETON Like you,all fish have a framework,or skeleton,that gives their bodiesa shape.Fish,like the soldier fish,that have a skeleton of hard bone arecalled bony fish.A shark's skeleton isn't made of hard bone.It's made oflightweight,rubbery material called cartilage. Cartilage is still strong,though.Just feel your ear.Its strength andshape come from a cartilage framework.Along a shark's spine and otherplaces where its skeleton needs to be especially strong,the cartilage isreinforced with calcium,the material that makes bones hard. Run a hand down your back.Feel all the bumps?That's your spinalcolumn.This is a piece of the shark's spinal column.It has been stainedto reveal the layers of calcium that make it stronger.As a shark gets older,more of these layers are added.So scientists

FAQs

How do sharks get oxygen compared with soldier fish?

Sharks have gills in separate pouches with slits opening to the inside and outside of the body. Soldier fish and other fish have gills grouped in one chamber covered by an operculum.

What is a shark’s skeleton made of?

A shark’s skeleton is not made of hard bone; it is made of lightweight, rubbery cartilage. Cartilage can be reinforced with calcium in areas needing extra strength.

How can scientists estimate a shark’s age?

Scientists study the layers of calcium in parts of a shark’s spinal column. As the shark gets older, more layers are added, so the number of layers helps guess how long it lived.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Miles