Sharks are only found in salt water. Animal fact or fiction?
Click the button next to your choice. Then, click the "GO" button to see how you did.
Nope, sorry! Although most people think of sharks and rays as exclusively saltwater inhabitants, there are 43 species of elasmobranch (skates, rays and sharks) in 10 genera and four families that penetrate freshwater environments in Australia, Southeast Asia, western Africa, eastern South America, Central America, and southeastern parts of North America. Included in this figure are six species of shark in the genus Glyphis (river shark).
The bull shark is a salt-water shark, but it can also be found in fresh water and has been known to live there for extended periods of time (up to 6 years). But, it's considered a salt-water shark. Click here to read more about sharks found in fresh water.
Other species that enter rivers include stingrays (Dasyatidae, Potamotygonidae and others) and sawfishes (Pristidae). Some skates (Rajidae), smooth dogfishes (Triakidae) and sandbar sharks (Carcharhinus plumbeus) regularly enter estuaries.
You're right! Good job! Not all sharks and rays are exclusively saltwater inhabitants. There are 43 species of elasmobranch (skates, rays and sharks) in 10 genera and four families that penetrate freshwater environments in Australia, Southeast Asia, western Africa, eastern South America, Central America, and southeastern parts of North America. Included in this figure are six species of shark in the genus Glyphis (river shark).
The bull shark is a salt-water shark, but it can also be found in fresh water and has been known to live there for extended periods of time (up to 6 years). But, it's considered a salt-water shark. Click here to read more about sharks found in fresh water.
Other species that enter rivers include stingrays (Dasyatidae, Potamotygonidae and others) and sawfishes (Pristidae). Some skates (Rajidae), smooth dogfishes (Triakidae) and sandbar sharks (Carcharhinus plumbeus) regularly enter estuaries.