Put on your lab coat, grab a scalpel, and let's begin our examination You've just discovered a shark-lovers paradise. In this virtual laboratory you will find heaps of information on the biology of sharks and rays. In fact you will be hard pressed to find a shark resource like this anywhere else on the web! If you have suggestions for Shark Lab topics, just use our Talk To Us form to send us your ideas. We will be happy to consider them for future additions to the CoralRealm Shark Lab.

Do you want to know what a caudal fin is? What shark eats song birds and fruit bats? How do sharks mate? Learn what habitat your favorite shark prefers.

Shark Feeding

<>Learn about the sharks' bill-of-fare and their predacious table manners.

	Shark Feeding Behavior Sharks have long been looked at as mindless eating machines. These animals exhibit a diversity of techniques to locate, capture and ingest their prey. These behaviors are the subject of this CoralRealm Guide.
	The Luring Behavior of the Tasseled Wobbegong, (Eucrossorhinus dasypogon) In this exciting, original CoralRealm research report, we will look at prelimanary studies conducted on the luring behavior of the tasseled wobbegong. This not only includes a description of our observations, but Quicktime video so you can see it for yourself! So share with us in this exciting new discovery that has shark biologists talking!
	Tiger Tucker Food habits and feeding behavior of the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier). Check-out this detailed look at the food habits of this notorious scavenger.
	The Wiley Wobbegongs Wobbegongs are known to ambush, stalk and lure their prey. Read how these effective predators employ stealth and cunning to fill their bellies!
	Shark Food Habits This extensive article examines those elasmobranchs that have more specialized diets and those that are more opportunistic, the relationship between the size of a shark or ray and the type of prey they consume, feeding patterns, feeding frequency and ration size.

 

Shark Reproductive Behavior

<>Loads of information on their reproductive modes and "romantic ways" (this includes rare photographs documenting courtship and mating in sharks and rays!).

	Shark Sex - Bamboo and Epaulette Sharks More is known about the sexual behavior of this group of sharks than any other. Learn everything there is to know about their courtship, mating and egg-laying behavior. Includes rare photos and illustrations of shark sex!
	Rayproduction The fascinating mating behavior of the round stingray (Urolophus halleri). This original CoralRealm research paper describes the reproductive behavior and the mating system of this small ray species. (It includes a number of photos documenting these behaviors.)
	Shark Sex: Part 1 Everything you wanted to know about the reproductive behavior of sharks and rays! Including the anatomy of sex, the general trends in elasmobranch reproductive behavior, and shark and ray mating systems.

 

Shark Ecology

<> Discover details on the distribution of sharks and rays, their habitat preferences and their relationships with other ocean inhabitants.

	Deepsea Sharks Command the CoralRealm submersible on a mission to investigate deepsea sharks. Loads of information on biology and numerous photos. Some of the weirdest sharks in the sea! No experience necessary!
	Bamboo and Epaulette Sharks Do you know about the sharks that crawl over the bottom, can withstand high water temps, and that undergo chromatic metamorphoses?" Read about this unique group of reef-dwellers! Includes a photo gallery showing many of the known species.
	Lean, Mean and Clean (Shark Cleaners) A number of reef fishes acquire nutrients by picking parasites, necrotic tissue, and mucous from the bodies and fins of other fishes. Learn more about the wrasses, butterflyfishes, angelfishes, gobies, and discfishes that are known to pick parasites off of sharks and rays. There is also information presented on crustaceans that clean sharks. You won't want to miss all the new information presented here on shark cleaners.
	The Inflatable Sharks: Survival of the Fattest? Although many are familiar with the those bonyfishes that are able to swell with water when threatened, fewer are aware of the sharks in the genus Cephaloscyllium, which also use inflatation as a way to avoid being eaten. In this article, the biology and behavior of the "inflatable sharks" is examined in detail.

 

Shark Anatomy

<> Find out about the real "guts" of a shark. Learn about shark parts and how they work.

	The External Anatomy of the Shark Familiarize yourself with the body parts of the shark.
	Feeding Mechanism of the White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) The white shark is a super-predator that feeds on a variety of fish and mammalian prey. In this article you can read about and see how the white shark feeds.

 

Shark Classification

	A New Epaulette Shark Species! Check out this new epaulette shark from Irian Jaya! Report includes photos and a description of all known members of the genus Hemiscyllium.
	Mutant Stingray Discovered! Check out the discovery of a mutant stingray photographed by Roger Steene. Is it a new species or a malformed feathertail ray?

 

Hammerhead Sharks (Sphyrnidae)

IT'S HAMMER TIME! A Hammerhead Smorgasbord Come peek into the secret lives of the hammerhead sharks! This comprehensive, updated information resource includes articles on the taxonomy, biology and behavior of the hammerheads. There are also many photos, illustrations and Quicktime™ video clips.

• Introduction to Hammerheads
  Check out the summaries to all the articles included in the Hammerhead Smorgasbord and read about why this group of sharks is so fascinating to divers and armchair fish-lovers alike.
• Hammerhead Taxonomy
  Check-out this understandable overview of sphyrnid taxonomy. If you have always wanted to know how many species of hammerheads there are, how many genera and subgenera, and how to differentiate the various species, dive into this informative article.
• What's up with the Hammer?
  There has been much speculation about the function of the hammerheads odd head. Learn about some of the proposed functions, as well as the latest research on the hammerheads hammer.
• Sting Cuisine
  Check out the hammerhead that has a culinary soft spot for stingrays. We will also examine the dietary preferences of several other hammerheads and highlight their predatory prowess.
• Hammerhead Social Behaviors
  Check out hammerhead body language and social behavior. This includes a number of threat (agonistic) behaviors. Many of the action patterns described herein are illustrated with line drawings and video clips.
• Hammerhead Schooling
  Learn about why scalloped hammerheads school, the composition of these social groups, and how their social behavior and habitat preferences change as they grow older.
• Hammerhead Hygiene
  Learn about the reef fishes that clean scalloped hammerheads, the types of parasites that inflict them and how these sharks solicit cleaning. This article includes rare video footage of sharks being cleaned.
• Danger to Man
  Check out the "dark side" of the hammerhead sharks. Are they really dangerous to humans? If so, which species are most dangerous? And how often do they attack?
• Hammerhead Hangouts
  Check out the best places to go and find different hammerheads. Video clips of schooling hammerheads are provided for your viewing pleasure, as well as a detailed table listing numerous locations where you are most likely to encounter scalloped hammerheads.
• The Golden Hammerhead
  Many of you have heard about this incredible shark. Check out an underwater photo and learn more about this amazing hammerhead! Includes a detailed species profile with complete biological information.
• Hammerhead Tidbits
  Check out some hammerhead trivia! Amaze your friends! Impress a potential partner! You can click on the common name of the hammerhead species discussed and go straight to the complete species profile.
• Hammerhead Diaries
  Share the journal notes of a hammerhead researcher and vicariously experience the richness of the "Desert Sea." This article will give you a better idea what shark research entails.
• References
  Check out this extensive hammerhead bibliography.