These ancient creatures have changed little over the millions of years of their existence. 7 pairs of gills and motile eyelids. With the exception of the tail, sharks do not use their fins for movement – only to maintain balance. Most of them give birth to live births after a gestation period of 6 months to 2 years. Although some species lay eggs.
There are more than a hundred species of these fish, but perhaps the most famous is the white shark. White sharks are believed to be the most adaptable creatures on the planet. And for many years, biologists have suggested that sharks do not get cancer. But recently, scientists have come to the conclusion that this is not so. In addition to exceptional biological characteristics as a species, the meat of these creatures is considered a real delicacy. And in medicine, preparations from shark products are one of the most effective drugs.
Great White Shark: what is known about her
The Great White Shark is the most famous and most dangerous predator in the ocean. But the bloodthirsty image of the cannibal, invented by this creature by the directors of the famous film “Jaws”, actually does not quite correspond to reality. This large fish looks intimidating, it is strong, has exceptional speed and maneuverability, and is an excellent hunter. But in reality, representatives of this species of sharks rarely attack humans, even if they swim in the immediate vicinity of the fish.
In Latin, the name of the fish sounds like Carcharodon Carcahrias. But it’s more common for us to call her a more understandable name – a white shark. And the fish got this name due to the snow-whiteness of the ventral side, although from the back it is usually gray. Sometimes there are individuals with a dark blue, brown or even black color. The color of the fish in large measure depends on the area where the white shark is found, since the color serves as a protection and allows you to merge with the seabed. Great white sharks have a torpedo shape, due to which they significantly increase the swimming speed compared to other inhabitants of the seas and oceans. If necessary, it picks up speed up to 24 kilometers per hour.
Ichthyologists call this magnificent fish the queen of all sharks. She has incredible abilities compared to other species. Scientists do not stop wondering how a heavy fish can be so graceful in water.
White Shark Characteristics:
- Fish – “cannibal”.
Great white sharks very rarely attack humans, even when they swim very close. In the Mediterranean Sea, for example, over the past two centuries there has been only 31 attack on people. However, in most cases, the victims survived.
Researchers suggest that perhaps the only reason sharks attack humans is because the fish, seeing the silhouette of a person, think it is a seal. But after the first bite she is convinced that she was mistaken and leaves. We just don’t fit sharks in the form of food. Instead of our bodies with a large number of bones, these fish prefer the carcasses of large fatty animals, such as seals. If a person dies after a shark bite, then the cause, most often, is blood loss.
And further. Researchers of the behavior of white sharks advise not to panic or splash in the water when meeting with these giant fish. The ideal solution is to stay as calm as possible. At the same time, there remains a chance that the shark will not pay attention to the person and calmly float away. The shark itself is only afraid of killer whales – killer whales.
- A giant from the seas.
White shark is one of the largest inhabitants of the oceans. The average size of these fish is 6,5 meters, but individuals and more than 7 m in length are found. The weight of these creatures can reach 2 and even 3 tons. Interestingly, females weigh more than males.
- Teeth.
The first thing that comes to mind when the words “great white shark” are large, sharp teeth. In a shark, they are arranged in several rows, each of which can fit up to 300 pointed canines. According to biologists, over the course of life, these creatures can lose up to a thousand teeth.
- Sense of smell.
The ability to distinguish odors from sharks is so acute that they can smell the blood in the water for 5 km away. These incredible creatures are able to smell a drop of blood diluted in 100 l of water. But also, with the same incredible acuteness, they feel animals generated by electromagnetic fields. Sharks are able to capture the victim after each of their movements by receptors of electro-tracking and even hear the beat of her heart.
- Eye protection.
Most animals that fall prey to the white shark do not give up, they fight for their lives. Hence the numerous scars on the body of the queen of the oceans. And in order to protect the most important organ – the eyes, during the attack, the sharks simply roll them back, thereby preventing scratches or other injuries.
- Progeny.
Today, scientists know very little about the reproduction of large white sharks. Researchers know that great white sharks are viviparous creatures. Their pregnancy lasts about 11 months, and the birth of offspring occurs in spring or summer. It is also known about the fact of cannibalism, which occurs even in the womb of the mother shark. Even before birth, stronger sharks kill the weak and feed on them.
- Habitat.
White sharks love the warm coastal areas in all the oceans of the world. Sometimes they go into deep water. There were cases when these creatures were found at depths of 1000 and more than meters. But still, their preferred water temperature is from 15 to 24 degrees Celsius, that is, shallow water near the coast. Most of these fish are found off the coast of Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Mexico, and the USA.
How to choose shark meat
Choosing any meat or fish is a task that requires certain skills. But knowing some secrets, you can make a purchase more quickly and easily.
To begin with, it is important to know that shark meat is usually sold in several of the most popular and beneficial forms of cooking:
- fillet (completely peeled from bones and skin);
- portions divided into portions;
- steaks with skin (an option is possible without it).
And now about how fresh white shark meat should look like. When buying the fillet of this huge fish for the first time, in order not to become a victim of scammers who will sell cheaper fish under the guise of a shark, it is important to remember several features.
fillet
Perhaps the easiest way to make a mistake is when buying meat that is completely cleaned of bones and skin. Therefore, you need to choose your piece of shark by smell. In whatever form the meat of this fish is sold, a real shark always has a characteristic smell of ammonia. In fresh meat, it is very pronounced, but after thorough washing before cooking disappears.
Steaks
The main feature of shark steaks, by which, in fact, you can distinguish a real delicacy from an imitation, is the large cartilage in the center of the piece and the absence of other large bones.
Pieces of leather
In this case, it is important to remember two things. The first is about the specific smell of shark. And the second – the rough skin of this fish does not feel like any other by touch.
The next thing you should definitely pay attention to is the bones. In the meat of white sharks there can be no rib bones, and also individual vertebrae are not visible.
Use in cooking
White shark meat can be stored for a long time in chilled, frozen or in another form. But being fresh, it deteriorates very quickly. Therefore, the carcass must be disassembled and prepared for 7 hours after the catch.
To do this, fish are cut and quickly cleaned of skin. Only light meat is suitable for food, dark (eat on the sides) cut out. Then it is important to rinse the pieces thoroughly until the ammonia odor disappears and cool in ice. In cooking, dishes are prepared from whole pieces of shark meat or ground to a state of minced meat. From prepared raw materials prepare hot dishes, aspic, and also smoked, pickled, canned or dried.
The nutritional value of shark meat
White shark meat is not only a delicious delicacy, but also a product of high nutritional value. Like other types of fish, shark meat is an easily digestible and dietary product. 100 grams contains only 130 kilocalories. For every 100-gram piece of meat, about 20 grams of protein, 50 grams of cholesterol and no more than 6 grams of fat are consumed. But what is not in this product is carbohydrates.
In addition, shark serves as a source of potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, iodine, iron, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese. Almost all the vitamins from group B are contained in the meat of this marine predator, exactly like vitamins A, E, K and PP.
The benefits and harms of shark products
White shark meat has many unique properties and you can talk for a long time about how this product is useful. Below is a list of the top properties of shark for humans:
- Source of proteins and minerals.
According to some parameters, shark resembles the composition of calf meat. In particular, the proteins of both products are composed of similar amino acids. The composition of fish fillets in high concentration contains iodine, phosphorus, copper and calcium. In addition, the meat of a sea predator serves as a source of vitamins A and group B. Knowing this, it becomes clear why the food from the white shark is considered an excellent source of nutrients necessary for humans.
- Useful liver.
Did you know that almost 24 percent of the total weight of the white shark falls on the liver. And it is she who is considered an exceptional source of nutrients. For many centuries, shark liver has been used as a cure for many diseases. And that’s all thanks to the unique composition. Scientists have determined that this body contains squalene and alkyl glycerol.
Biological properties squalene in large measure resembles ampicillin, but surpasses it in action. Therefore, this substance is considered to be a natural antibiotic and used to treat persistent infections, fungi, inflammations. But in addition to active effects on the body, squalene does not cause side effects and is one of the substances that are safe for humans.
Alkiglycerol belongs to the group of immunostimulants. This substance contained in the liver of a white shark, has proven effective in the fight against viruses, bacteria and cancer cells. And it is thanks to alkiglycerol that sharks the liver is considered a substance that normalizes the circulatory system.
- Useful properties of shark fat.
Among the most effective of all currently known drugs for restoring immunity are substances containing shark fat. They are part of complex therapy for the treatment of allergies, asthma, cancer and HIV infection.
In addition, preparations with shark queen fat are used as agents for the prevention of atherosclerosis and as a drug that reduces blood pressure. It is believed that the great white shark fat reduces the risk of heart attack and diabetes. It also treats joint pain, including rheumatism and arthritis, and helps calm a cough.
- Mercury in the tissues.
For several decades, environmentalists have been sounding the alarm: the oceans will sink in the mud. But not all the inhabitants of the planet are aware of the scale of the problem. But in fact, all the toxins contained in sea water are absorbed into the bodies of fish. And the white shark is more likely than other fish to accumulate hazardous substances, in particular mercury, in its body. The most dangerous meat of a marine predator caught in the most polluted seas.
“Mercury” white sharks are very dangerous for humans. But they carry the greatest danger for children, pregnant women and nursing mothers. Also, mercury compounds are extremely dangerous for the development of the embryo.
Why white sharks are useful for people
In addition to valuable fat and dietary meat of white sharks, people also use the teeth of these predators. In particular, for the manufacture of a variety of jewelry. People, observing the behavior and appearance of the white shark, have created many useful ideas. For example, the streamlined body of a marine predator inspired mankind to create objects of similar shapes. In addition, swimming suits were created from shark skin, which have less friction. And in terms of global ecology, sharks play the role of orderlies of the ocean, which is also very significant for humanity.
White shark is the most famous marine predator. This huge fish scares vacationers on the coast, but at the same time is a favorite delicacy of many gourmets. This creature even from the screens brings fear to people of different ages, but at the same time, shark fat saves humanity from many diseases. Its meat is a dietary product that supplies a complex of minerals and vitamins, but at the same time it is a source of the most dangerous substance – mercury. The white shark is an example of how important balance is in everything. Today in the world there are about 350 species of sharks, including a large white one. But the population of these creatures can significantly decrease if humanity does not slow down the rate of their extermination to produce meat and fat.
