Cartilaginous Fishes
CLASS CHONDRICHTHYES
SPECIES OF Cartilaginous Fishes
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ANATOMY OF Cartilaginous Fishes
OVERVIEW
Sharks and rays are known as cartilaginous fishes. Unlike bony fishes (and us humans), cartilaginous fishes have skeletons that are made of cartilage! Cartilage is softer than bone, and is the material that forms your nose and ears.
OPEN GILL SLITS
Sharks and rays have rows of open slits on each side of their body near their head. These are the openings to their gills!
SKIN LIKE SANDPAPER!
Sharks and rays have skin that is rough like sandpaper. That’s because their scales are sharp and jagged, just like tiny teeth!
SAY “NO” TO SHARK FIN SOUP!
Shark fin soup is a cruel delicacy. Shark fins are sliced off the shark’s body and the rest of the shark is heartlessly thrown back into the sea. Without their fins, the poor sharks cannot swim and will die a slow and painful death. So, to protect our sharks, please say “no” to shark fin soup!