Thresher Shark
Thresher Shark Introduction
Common Thresher Sharks live in temperate waters around the world. In the Atlantic Ocean, they can be found from Newfoundland to Cuba. They are brown, gray, bluish gray, or black, with gray or white sides and white abdomens. They have long sickle-shaped tails that they use to hit and stun their prey.
These sharks are aggressive predators and eat schooling fish, birds, and squid. Females have only a few babies, or pups, at a time after a 9-month pregnancy. They give birth to live young. Thresher Sharks are shy and have very small mouths and teeth. They are generally harmless to humans. Their population is decreasing in many parts of the world. They are valued for their meat, leather, and liver oil, which is used to make vitamins; they also get caught in fishermen’s nets.
Keywords to Learn
Abdomen: Tummy
Population: All the inhabitants of a particular place
About Me:
Hey Kids, my name is Tait the Thresher shark and I am very happy to meet you. Learn more about me and my species @ https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/
Key Data
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Order:Lamniformes.
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Lifespan:19 to 50 years
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Class:Alopias.
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Scientific Name:Alopias vulpinus.
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Mass:750 lbs
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Length:10.5 feet (330 cm) to 14.8 ft. (450 cm)
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Region found:Temperate oceans around the world
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Population Status:Vulnerable.
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Current population trend:Decreasing.
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Diet:Herring, mackerel, squid, and seabirds.
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Sexual maturity:Males:3 to 6 years; Females: 4 to 5 years.
As you have just learned, thresher sharks are large, but harmless, sharks living in many parts of the world, while they are not dangerous to humans, they are still aggressive and still very dangerous to their prey.
Now that you know more about the thresher shark by learning the key data above, be sure also to check out the fun facts. When you are finished learning the facts, try answering the questions in the Q&A corner on the bottom right side of the page.
Download questions about the Thresher Shark here: Thresher Shark (answers are on this page)
Teachers. For more in depth work sheets on sharks. Click on Kidskonnect Worksheets
Fun Facts for Kids
- # 1. Thresher Sharks migrate up and down the Atlantic Ocean, depending on the time of year.
- # 2. Thresher Sharks eat fish, birds, squid, crustaceans, and even octopus.
- # 3. Thresher Sharks sometimes swim to 1,800 feet beneath the ocean’s surface.
- # 4. Thresher Sharks long, whip-like tail is half their body length. They use it to stun prey.
- # 5. Female Thresher Sharks typically give birth to two to four pups.
Q&A Corner
- # 1. What is the purpose of the Thresher Sharks long tail?
- # 2. What do Thresher Sharks eat?
- # 3. Are Thresher Sharks dangerous to humans?
- # 4. How long do Thresher Sharks typically live for?
- # 5. Where do Thresher Sharks live?
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