Shark Profile

There are over 1000 species of sharks and rays worldwide with at least 297 species found in Australian waters, of these 125 species are found in the Great Barrier Reef.  More than half of the Australian species are found no where else in the world.  The 30 different families of sharks and rays have a wide variety of shapes, sizes and lifestyles.  For example.

Bottom dwellers are normally found resting on the sea floor.  They are easily recognised by an opening behind their eye known as a spiracle.  Water is pumped through this opening and out through the gills.  Examples include the leopard and epaulette sharks and the wobbegong.

Most Mid-water sharks do not possess a spiracle and most rely on a constant flow of water through their mouth and across their gills as they swim.  However, some species, such as the whitetip reef shark are able to lie on the bottom and pump water by opening and closing their mouths.

Take on the following challenges and learn more about the sharks and rays of the Great Barrier Reef.

Shark Anatomy Challenge

Download your Shark Anatomy Challenge Sheet and print it out.  The following links will help you complete your challenge sheet.

Seaworld.org "Shark Anatomy"

Florida Museum of Natural History "Body Features and Measurements of Sharks"

NOVA "Clickable Shark"

Biological Profile Challenge

Make a copy of the table below.  Click here to uncover some of the special features of the following sharks and rays and complete the "Biological Profile Challenge".  Find the common name for each of the sharks and rays and then click on the genus and species name to find out more. 

Reef HQ Predator Challenge

Click here to dive into the Reef HQ Aquarium predator tank.  Solve Jigsaw Junction 1 to discover one of the tank's many inhabitants.  Use the following link to find out more about this unique species of shark.

Australian Museum Fish Site

National Geographic Shark Surfari Challenge

Carcharhinus melanopterus

Download and print out your "Shark Surfari Challenge Sheet". Click on the picture of the Blacktip Reef Shark to start your Shark Surfari Challenge.  As you cruise through your Shark Surfari uncover all the correct answers to each of the questions.  Be sure to print out your Shark Surfari Certificate once you have finished.

Epaulette shark Hemiscyllium ocellatum

Now that you have completed all of the Shark Profile challenges the next phase of your webquest is to investigate Sharks and People.  Click on the picture of the Epaulette shark to take on the Sharks and People challenges.