Bull shark - Carcharhinus leucas
Bull shark, Zambezi shark, or Carcharhinus leucas belongs to the genus Carcharhinus, family Carcharhinidae, Order Carcharhiniformes, class Chondrichthyes, phylum Chordata, and Animalia. It was deemed the world's most dangerous shark for its aggression and large amount of unprovoked attacks on humans. Yet perhaps the most unique aspect of this shark is its ability to survive in both fresh water and salt water, bull sharks have even been found very far upstream in rivers close to more urbanized areas, miles from the nearest ocean. The bull shark also inhabits many places around the world compared to the Great White shark which exists in only specific oceanic areas.
Most sharks swallow their food whole or bite it into relatively large pieces using their multiple rows of teeth that angle in for holding or scraping their prey. Sharks have U-shaped stomachs that use very strong acids and enzymes to dissolve most of what is eaten. The stomach produces an easily absorbed, soupy mush. Only this liquid mush enters the intestines because the pyloric valve (the valve between the stomach and the intestines) is small. Despite sharks having a bad reputation for eating anything, indigestible things, (like very large bones and non-nutritive items) are vomited. Although shark stomach's have been found containing chunks of metal and manmade objects.
Absorption of nutrients takes place in the intestines. Although the intestines are short, they have a large surface area due to infolding of the inner surface of the intestines. Some shark intestines are arranged in folds, some are in a spiral pattern, like a spiral staircase enclosed within a cylinder.
Most sharks swallow their food whole or bite it into relatively large pieces using their multiple rows of teeth that angle in for holding or scraping their prey. Sharks have U-shaped stomachs that use very strong acids and enzymes to dissolve most of what is eaten. The stomach produces an easily absorbed, soupy mush. Only this liquid mush enters the intestines because the pyloric valve (the valve between the stomach and the intestines) is small. Despite sharks having a bad reputation for eating anything, indigestible things, (like very large bones and non-nutritive items) are vomited. Although shark stomach's have been found containing chunks of metal and manmade objects.
Absorption of nutrients takes place in the intestines. Although the intestines are short, they have a large surface area due to infolding of the inner surface of the intestines. Some shark intestines are arranged in folds, some are in a spiral pattern, like a spiral staircase enclosed within a cylinder.