SHARKS
CHOMPERS OF THE SEA
By Caitlind L. Alexander
A LearningIsland.com
15 - Minute Book
Editor: Jennifer Robinson
Pictures by Photos.com and Clipart.com
Smashwords Edition
(c) Copyright 2004 Caitlind L. Alexander. All rights reserved.
Published by LearningIsland.com.
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Sharks; Chompers of the Sea / Caitlind L. Alexander
Summary: A brief look at the lives of sharks.
1. Sharks. Juvenile Literature. 2. Ocean Creatures Juvenile Literature.
Created in USA
Words: 2,010
Reading Level: 3.4
What Does a Shark Look Like?
Sharks are large fish with big teeth. Like all fish, they have a body made for gliding through the water.
But sharks have more fins than many fish. Most sharks have two fins on the side of their body. They are called pectoral fins. These are the fins that are closest to the head. They help the shark go up and down in the water.
Behind these fins are two pelvic fins, one on each side. These fins help keep the shark from tipping over in the water.
And just behind the pelvic fins are the anal fins. Not all sharks have anal fins. For those that do, they do the same job as the pelvic fins.
On top of the shark is the dorsal fin. There is only one dorsal fin. It helps the shark to turn and to stay upright in the water. The dorsal fin is the one that you see sticking out of the water when the shark swims near the surface.
Many sharks have a second, smaller dorsal fin right behind the big one, but closer to the tail. It does the same job as the bigger dorsal fin.
Then, of course, there is the tail fin. The tail fin moves the shark forward. The faster the shark swings his tail fin back and forth, the faster he goes.
Sharks also have gills. Gills are like our lungs. They help fish to breathe.