PROLOGUE

To whom it may concern,

As you may already know, this project is about sharks. When I was told to pick a topic for my genre research paper I really wanted to do something “normal” that could be easy to explain and easy to understand; something that I wouldn’t have to put too much effort on. I thought about breeding dogs. But honestly, how many things could be “new” for people on how to breed dogs? Not much really. Then I thought about making myself an expert on the history of The Coca-Cola Company. It seemed a little too much information and I couldn’t find a specific thing that could be interesting, only few facts such as that Coca-Cola was first made to cure headaches and that it can be used to clean blood stains and toilets, which I didn’t find quite appealing. Finally, I thought that if I wanted to be a Veterinarian I could research on something that would keep reading for hours and could also be useful in my future career. Obviously it would be perfect for my research paper for the English class.

Marine Biology seems interesting for me since I was about 5 years old that I went to Sea World in Orlando for my summer vacations. That day I learned about the giant earth turtles, I first touched a stingray, I fed the dolphins and I finally met the famous Shamu. There I also learned about one of the most feared creatures of the Ocean: the sharks. As an animal lover, I’ve always wanted to look for the good side of each and every single one of them. It was impossible and hard for me to believe that sharks were as monstrous as everyone said.

During my research, it was very hard to find good stuff about sharks. The first things that obviously appear are the attacks on people who are lucky survivors and the ones that, as I like to say, were not that lucky. But there are many useful strategies to avoid and/or escape these shark attacks. If an attack proceeds, sharks have some sensitive parts exposed on their body, especially on their faces, that give the victims an opportunity to fight back and have a chance to escape and survive. In addition, I found physical and physiological characteristics of sharks that could be genetically helpful for humans.

The creation of my genres was the most exciting part of my research paper work. It was entertaining to create and compose funny things to communicate the true facts about sharks. My very close friend Krahs The Shark will explain himself on why exactly he once, or maybe two, took a taste of a human being. I expect from you, my reader, to learn at least one thing from this work and that same thing should be so important that it becomes very useful for the next time or times you decide to go to the beach. Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Diana Hernández

INTRODUCTION

What is the first thing that you think about when you read the word “SHARK”?

Do you feel fear? Are you terrified? Do you think in any picture of a shark coming out of

the water with his wide-open mouth and all the teeth coming out of it? Do you see a

surfer without an arm? Or a surfer without any leg? Because that’s what usually happens!

The media, specially the television, is responsible for all these fears of people

towards sharks. Terror movies of sharks were created and everyone started to see the

shark as something uniquely offensive. (Martel, 1) This is not completely true. A perfect

example for this is “Jaws” and I am sure most of you have already seen it. But, what

exactly is a shark?

Sharks are like a big fish that are known to exist more than 400million years ago,

long before the vertebrates. (Browne, 1) Their size vary from seven inches to fifty feet.

Compared with a fish, their skeleton is made out of cartilage instead of bones, which

includes them in the Elasmobranchii category with the rays, skates, and ratfish.

(McCarthy, 3) They can only swim forward, they can float because of their large oily

liver instead of an air filled cavity, their gills are not covered, the eggs are fertilized

inside the female and are kept inside until they hatch, and they have rough placoid scales.

(McCarty, 3) The common shape of the sharks is like a torpedo that helps them to easily

glide through water. Some sharks are so flat they can hide in the sand. Others have

elongated specific parts of their bodies such as their upper or tail fin, extremely pointed

fin or their complete body. (McCarty, 3)

Physiologically, sharks are very efficient. The only “bad” thing they may have is

that most of the sharks need to be in constant movement in order to breathe through their

gills. (McCarthy, 4) But, their immune system is so advanced and so potent that they are

able to fight many infections that human beings cannot, and they are also able to fight

other disease such as cancerous tumors. In the future, maybe some genetic evolution

could be acquired from shark cells to improve human genetics. (Browne, 1) The skeleton

of the sharks is made of calcified cartilage instead of phosphate. The phosphate obtained

from their metabolism is better used for the production of their teeth. These are very large

and strong teeth. (Browne, 1) Sharks may have up to 3,000 teeth arranged in five rows at

a time. (McCarthy, 4) They never stop growing teeth, which is essential because they

constantly loose a large amount when they feed themselves. Another benefit of the shark

is that their skin is covered with a slimy mucus and very strong scales that allows them to

swim at even 40 miles an hour. The United States Navy has being trying to imitate this

high-speed mechanism of sharks for the improvement of their marine machinery.

(Browne, 1) Sharks are most known for their ability to detect blood. They have nostrils.

That is what human have for nose. There is where sharks have their olfactory sense,

which is extremely sensitive. It is able to detect one part blood per million parts of

seawater. (McCarthy, 4) They also have these skin pores called Ampullae of Lorenzini

spread through their bodies, and even more concentrated on their heads, that contain

sensory cells and nerves connected to their brains. This is their mechanism to detect any

current, whether it is to lead them to their designated migration or their prey. (McCarthy,

4)

Sharks are no human-eating animals. As many other wild animals, such as bears,

tigers, and lions, these creatures were born with a natural instinct of being a predator or a

killer. (Martel, 1) These animals are one of the top animals on the food chain of the

ocean life. (Zoller, 1) We, the humans, could be very affected by the extinction of these

animals. They are the predators of rays, who tend to feed on the scallops, oysters and

shellfish. With no sharks to start this food chain, there would be more rays and less

scallops and oysters for us to eat. In addition, shellfish have these filtration system that

help maintain and improve the quality of the water and without them there would be little

or no sings of this mechanism at all. (Finn, 1) Some sharks swim so slow that the only

thing they eat is what is on the ocean floor, for example crabs and clams, but these are the

minority. (McCarthy, 4) Others are “filter feeders”. They eat the plankton and small

animals floating in water by swimming with their mouth opened. (McCarthy, 4) Sharks

don’t seem to be that bad now, don’t they?

Shark attacks to humans are very rare, even though it seems to happen constantly.

There is an average of 70 attacks per year worldwide from which only 4 humans are

killed. That is almost nothing. On the contrary, statistics on humans’ “revenge” are

estimated to be 40 million of sharks killed per year. (Martel, 1) Most attacks are either

provoked by the same human or because the shark confuses a human with its prey. They

are divided into three different types. The first one is the ”hit and run”. This may happen

near shore, when they eat, they grab a bite and leave. These attacks leave minor injuries.

The second type is the “sneak attacks”. These tend to happen in deeper waters. The

shark comes by surprise and it may result in many bites. The last one is the “bump and

bite” attacks. These attacks may occur anywhere and are “planned”. The shark

surrounds, contacts and then attacks its prey. This may result in many severe bites, even

death. (Keeling, 1)

For me, sharks are not just some big, crazy, killer animals. As every living

organism, they satisfy their needs to eat and defend their territory. Unluckily for us,

sometimes we tend to be on their way when they are doing so. Humans do the same, they

kill chickens, fish, cows, pigs, any king of animal that is good to keep us alive and tastes

good. We also believe that if any other person or animal that we don’t know enters our

home it is an intruder and we are to defend against it. That is our mechanism of territory

defense, just like the sharks. It is important for people to be more open minded and to be

able to think “out of the box” in order to understand the truth about living organisms, that

we all have one specific need; to be and stay alive, but the path we need to take to make

ourselves satisfied vary between species and some are more harmful than others. We

also need to understand that humans are the only animals capable of reasoning but we are

not the strongest ones, and we may be included in the animal food chain not only as

predators, but also as preys.

Karhs The Shark

Hey guys! I hope you are fine! My name is Karhs and I am a shark. I think that my very close friend Diana has already mentioned me. I know you may be asking why I have this stupid laser in my forehead. Well, this is kind of an invention that my colleagues and I are trying to get to work properly. It is supposed to have a mental human-being detector. We need this right away. You guys don’t understand… WE DO NOT LIKE TO EAT HUMANS! But you know, it’s the middle of the day, the sun is up, it’s very shiny, the water on the beach is warm, and there are you guys, throwing food in the water, throwing beverages in the water and all the fishy-fishy go to eat there. And what about us? We are hungry as hell. So… What do we do? Well! We go looking for those yummy mummy fishy-fishies! Oh my God they are so fatty, so delicious that I can’t resist them. But then what happens, there you are in the middle! Do you think we can see clearly with all this hunger, the sand all messed up, fishy-fishies everywhere? Hmm… NO! Sometimes you wear some things in your hands and feet that shine just like the scales of my fishy-fishies and I become somewhat confused! Then there are these humans that dress just like the most delicious thing in the world to eat: the sea lions. I don’t know why but there are some of you who wear these strange things that cover their body completely in black and the texture is just like the sea lions’ skin and, well, I get confused with that too! Sometimes I am just wondering through the sea, in my home, and you just walk into my place and I get so mad that I don’t even know how I stay still,

unfortunately I need to defend my territory. But humans are friend, not food. Usually I forget that phrase. Sometimes, when you get in the middle of my lunch I just grab you and move you away from my prey so that I can eat it! But you guys always punch our noses and stick your fingers in our eyes and gills! The only way to stop that mess y by making you stop moving. And well, you know, if there is an excess of appetite, there is no way I will not take advantage of the situation and I will take at least one bite! It is just a bite! Or it maybe two, who knows?! I am sorry if by my fault someone you love has died, but I am positively sure that in that precise moment she had to have done at least one of all these things that led me to attack, eat, or bite him/her.

COLLAGE

Sharks may be a lot bigger than a person. Normally they could be “hanging” with humans if they are not hungry because they normally attack people when they are looking for sea lions. But be careful because you may be invading his territory. There are about 370 different species of sharks. Shark bites could also be mortal. They have so many teeth they could rip apart your entire body. The best thing to do to avoid a shark attack is by avoiding a shark encounter.

CARTOON

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Everyone in the whole world is, or has been once frightened by sharks. This cartoon is a perfect example of what reality is about. Have you ever imagines how many terrible things surround us on our daily life? A criminal, a thief, a violator, a terrorist, or even just someone who simply dislikes you may be every single day passing you by, talking to you, working with you, studying, or even living with you. We are scared of many things just because of the fame it has, jus as what happens with sharks in society. Incidents on shark attacks are not too many, in comparison with the daily incidents that are passed on the news. I believe people should be aware of everything in the world and pay attention to what is truly important for the well being of humanity; to the things that are ruining our Planet and population.

GROCERY LIST

To provoke a shark attack:

1. Shark – to attack you

2. Bright colored swimsuit – to get in the water

3. Beach – natural habitat of the shark

4. Curiousness – to invade a shark’s territory

5. Watch – to go in the water after 8pm alone

6. Hands – to make a splash and wear shiny jewelry

7. Boat – someone to cook and throw in the water the rests of the food

8. Bruise – to bleed

9. Resistance – to swim away from shore

To survive a shark attack:

1. Peace – to remain calm and act efficiently

2. Brain – to think your escape strategies

3. Adrenaline – So you can think and act fast

4. Healthy lungs – to hold your breath if you are dragged under water

5. Strong fingers – to stick them hard into the shark’s eyes or gills

6. Strong legs – to hit the shark’s nose

7. Resistance – to swim back to shore

8. Mouth – to scream for help

9. Friends – they will help you

10. Cell phone – for a friend to call an ambulance

11. Patience – to wait for the ambulance

12. Hope – to stay alive

13. Gratuity – to thank the ones who helped you

14. Happiness – because you will be alive

EPILOGUE

I need to thank you for reading my work. Sharks are very interesting animals. To learn about them may be a useful thing to do, in fact, it is. As we already know, in the future, they could help us to improve our genetics and we could be stronger. For me it is amazing for an animal to be able to defeat cancerous cells. We could also improve our facilities, which lead us for more technology to surge.

Sharks have been alive during many years, long before dinosaurs, and they haven’t been extinct. That needs to be something. Maybe they are the key to a perfect journey of live and the “anti-extinction” resource. We shouldn’t kill them; we need to learn more from them.

In addition, I need to say that some species of sharks are already endangered and we should do something to keep them alive. To those who still believe that sharks are monstrous animals that need to be executed and erased from the planet Earth, I suggest to do some more research for yourself and understand that every creature is alive for a reason.

Annotated Bibliography

Browne, Malcolm W. “The Good Side of Sharks on Display” The New York Times. pg: 17. March 4, 2004. May 25, 2009 <http://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/04/ arts/the-good-side-of-sharks-on-display.html?sec=&spon=&scp= 7&sq=shark%20sense&st=cse>

This articles presents the facts that people need to know and understand in order to accept what sharks really are. With their physiologic description and their habits, Borwne is able to proove that sharks are really important for humans. He gives his conclusions based on "Sharks: Fact and Fantasy", an exhibition that took place on the third floor of the American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street until May 1 1994.

Finn, Robin. “Don’t Worry About the Teeth, Sharks Still Need a Hug” The New York Times. pg: Ll1. September 14, 2008, May 25, 2009 <http://www.nytimes.com/ 2008/09/14/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/14colli.html?_r=1>

In this article Finn presents Ms. Pikitch, a 51 years old woman known to be the shark-hugger. It is an interview that presents her love, passion, and curiosity towards sharks. It is the perfect example of someone who believe that sharks are not monstrous and wants to see the good side of them.

Keeling, David. “Student Travel Health: Surviving a Shark Attack” HTH Worldwide: HTH Travel Insurance. RPK&A, Inc. 2000. May 25, 2009 <http://www.hthtravelinsurance.com/travel_center/student/005.cfm>

This site is from an insurance travel company that wants to keep their costumers safe. Here they explain every caution you need to avoid a shark attack. They also present every strategy needed in order to escape and survive an shark attack. It includes what types of attacks may occur in what areas of the ocean in order for a person to be prepared.

Martel, Ned. “Just When You Thought It Was Safe…. It Might Be” The New York Times. July 27, 2007. May 25, 2009 <http://www.nytimes.com/ 2007/07/27/arts/television/27shar.html>

This article was written for the shark week of 2007. Itgives a brief description about sharks and it includes the summary of the history of sharks. It also tries to explain why sharks are so terrifying creatures on Earth. All these explanations are based on a program called “ocean of Fear” in the Discovery Channel thar is a documentary on sharks.

McCarthy, Terry, “Why can’t we be friends? A horrific attack raises old fears, but new research reveals surprising keys to shark behavior” Time Vol. 158 Iss. 4, July 30, 2001: pg 30 Academic Research Library. ProQuest. UPRM-General Library, Mayaguez, PR. May 25, 2009 <http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ article/0,9171,1000420,00.html>

In this article McCarthy gives details on the different kind of attacks by shark. It also exhorts people to stop killing sharks, presenting the difference in numbers on human killing sharks versus sharks killing humans. Humans are much more dangerous for sharks than sharks for humans.

Zoller Seitz, Matt. “Cut the Scary Music: Here Sharks are More Endangered Than Dangerous” The New York Times. November 2, 2007. May 25, 2009 <http://movies.nytimes.com/2007/11/02/movies/02shar.html>

This is a movie review on “Sharwater”. The movie is about a man named Rob Stewart. This man is truly a shark lover. He goes against all rules and even appears to be touching the belly of a shark. By treating sharks as big dogs, he wants to change the terrifying view that people have on sharks caused by the horror movie “Jaws”

Works Cited

Browne, Malcolm W. “The Good Side of Sharks on Display” The New York Times. pg: 17. March 4, 2004. May 25, 2009 <http://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/04/ arts/the-good-side-of-sharks-on-display.html?sec=&spon=&scp= 7&sq=shark%20sense&st=cse>

Finn, Robin. “Don’t Worry About the Teeth, Sharks Still Need a Hug” The New York Times. pg: Ll1. September 14, 2008, May 25, 2009 <http://www.nytimes.com/ 2008/09/14/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/14colli.html?_r=1>

Keeling, David. “Student Travel Health: Surviving a Shark Attack” HTH Worldwide: HTH Travel Insurance. RPK&A, Inc. 2000. May 25, 2009 <http://www.hthtravelinsurance.com/travel_center/student/005.cfm>

Martel, Ned. “Just When You Thought It Was Safe…. It Might Be” The New York Times. July 27, 2007. May 25, 2009 <http://www.nytimes.com/ 2007/07/27/arts/television/27shar.html>

McCarthy, Terry, “Why can’t we be friends? A horrific attack raises old fears, but new research reveals surprising keys to shark behavior” Time Vol. 158 Iss. 4, July 30, 2001: pg 30 Academic Research Library. ProQuest. UPRM-General Library, Mayaguez, PR. May 25, 2009 <http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ article/0,9171,1000420,00.html>

Zoller Seitz, Matt. “Cut the Scary Music: Here Sharks are More Endangered Than Dangerous” The New York Times. November 2, 2007. May 25, 2009 <http://movies.nytimes.com/2007/11/02/movies/02shar.html>