A Short Look At Sharks Senses

When a person looks at sharks senses, they will be amazed at the marvelous symmetry of this fish. Each of the senses of the shark work in unison to make it an efficient and effective predator. With not natural enemies but man, the shark is not equipped with many of the defensive systems that other sea creatures have.

All of the senses of a shark work together to make it the efficient predator that it is. Research and experiments have shown that when one of the shark's senses are disrupted or interrupted, the shark have significant difficulty hunting prey. The entire body of the shark plays a role in the overall senses of the shark and are vital to its survival.

Sharks have eyesight that is up to ten times more sensitive to light than humans. This is because of a tissue that reflect light located behind the retina of their eyeball. Some sharks, such as Great Whites roll their eyes back when they attack prey to keep their eyes protected. They can see objects from 70-100 feet away. There is some discussion on whether or not all sharks can discern colors because studies done on Lemon sharks shows that they could detect color and preferred bright shiny objects and colors.

The senses of hearing and smell also are very efficient. When one drop of blood was put in a 2,000 gallon tank of water, a shark sensed it and came to the location where the blood was dropped. Studies show that sharks will travel hundreds of miles in reaction to the smell of blood. A lot of sharks are drawn to the smell of chemicals in the gut and can be found in areas where there are sewage outfalls. Sharks also smell directionally and will smell an odor through the nostril where the scent is coming from first. Openings in the shark head lead directly to the inner ear and they can hear very low frequencies up to . 6 miles away.

Humans, animals and fish have electromagnetic fields. When the creature is injured or ill, their electromagnetic field changes slightly. One of the senses that sharks have which is unique to other animals, is thousands of Ampullae of Lorenzine, small ampules, located around the head. These ampules are electroreceptors and are able to detect electromagnetic fields from several miles away. Sharks have the greatest sensitivity of any animal.

The other sense is called a Lateral Line. There are two tubes that run on both sides of the body. The tubes have tiny hairs in them and look and act like long ear canals. These tiny hairs move when there is any vibration in the water up to ten feet away. The hairs sense frequencies of 25-50Hz.

All of these senses combined create a perfect predatory machine that can detect and respond to the slightest disruption in the water. When all of the sharks senses indicate an injured animal or possible prey, the shark is able to move quickly and react appropriately.