Sharks have been differentiated from other ocean creatures by their anatomical as well as morphological features. They have been created with a cartilaginous skeleton that is strong enough to make them the most proficient hunters yet much more pliable enough to bend effortlessly. Sharks have gotten fully equipped skin with some tremendous features that make it perfectly bulletproof. Let us have a look at what it is primarily composed of and what makes it the deadliest creature of the ocean.
What Is The Composition Of Shark Skin?
Sharks are composed of very unique skin textures, unlike other bony fishes. Its external layer of skin is almost 6 inches in width, which makes it too resilient to get attacked. Superficially, its skin resembles sandpaper because of the scales they are composed of, which are arranged in a very smooth manner. But it is not as flattened as it looks. It is just too sharp that if a creature comes in contact with these scales, it can get severely injured.
Sharks have evolved into very specialized scales, namely dermal or placoid scales which are primarily composed of hollow cones of dentine covered by an inner core of pulp in which blood vessels, nerves, and some connective tissues are present. Externally, they are enveloped in apatite, which is a very resilient and crystalline mineral.
These scales are V-shaped, tiny tooth-like structures that are closely packed together and aligned towards the caudal end. The key feature of these scales is that they don’t grow in size throughout life like bony fishes; rather, they just increase mitotically in numbers.
Is Shark Skin Bulletproof?
Only Whale sharks have six-inch-thick skin that makes them bulletproof. Though it is not the thickest in the animal world (sperm whales have skin that is more than a foot thick), it is tough enough that scientists have found it incredibly difficult to obtain a blood sample from the creature.
Are Orcas Immune To Bullets?
The Orca is bulletproof, featuring ultra-sharp, high-tensile treble hooks and heavy-duty split rings right out of the box. Although designed for tuna, the Orca is more than just an offshore lure.
How Does A Shark’s Skin Help In Their Defense?
Intending to shield themselves from being caught, sharks have developed some extraordinary senses of sight, touch, smell, hearing, and sometimes even electromagnetism. Sharks’ skin plays a major role in safeguarding them. The skin is the greatest armor of sharks because its six-inch thickened skin is enough to bounce back any deadly incursion and makes it exquisitely bulletproof.
Their techniques to tackle threats are phenomenal. The powerful reflexes don’t let the other party do any damage. Larger sharks take advantage of being too huge. They just dissuade their prey by being too fierce to entwine with.
How Does Shark’s Skin Accommodate Them To Move Quickly?
Apart from being too defensive, the skin helps the shark to make quick moves while splashing around its natural habitat. Some specific genres of sharks are considered to be the Cheetahs of the Ocean because they are somehow capable of swimming at 100 km/hr. The specialized minute denticles and streamlined shape accommodate them to be this swift. They not only enhance the defense system but also lessen the hydrodynamic drag of sharks.
They buoyancy to swim at very high speed, make swift turns and bends, change the paths of water floating around them, and terminate their journey suddenly. These features make sharks the most proficient predators. The friction of water that passes through the grooves is lessened by the streamlined physique of sharks.
Conclusion
The shark is the king of the ocean. This deadliest creature has highly developed senses that help in predating the prey more profoundly. The secret of being the most monstrous creature of the ocean lies in the six-inch thick skin of sharks that makes it perfectly bulletproof. Sharks’ skin is mainly composed of minute tooth-like scales called dermal denticles or placoid scales with a sandpaper-type texture that makes sharks outpower all other living creatures of the ocean.