Sharks come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. They have different personalities, and they live in oceans all over the world. Not much you can say about sharks is true for all of them, but there are a few things you can say about the anatomy of most sharks. They breathe through gill slits, have rigid fins and they don't have a bladder.

The Whale Shark is the biggest creature in the ocean, about eleven times taller than your Mom or Dad, and weighing in at about 2,000 pounds. A Whale Shark wouldn't be too interested in eating you, but you could offer him about half a ton of teeny fish, crustaceans and little drifting invertebrates and he would be very happy. The Spined Pygmy Shark only grows to the size of a medium cucumber, and sleeps all day at the bottom of the ocean.

"Aren't you scared Harriet?" "Can't you tell that that's a very well fed Florida Smoothhound Heming? She's not going to hurt me or you."

Some sharks only like warm water, and some only like cold water. Some of them like to travel all over the world and some of them never leave the neighborhood they were born in. There are even sharks in freshwater rivers. Most sharks like to eat fish, but none of them have ever tasted any tartar sauce. Of course there are a few of them who would eat you in less than a minute if you went to pay them a visit, but it wouldn't be anything personal. The majority of sharks feed on live fish. Most of them make their homes in very deep water.

Scientists divide all the species of sharks into eight groups, or orders according to certain features which they have in common. The biggest group of sharks are the Ground Sharks. They are found all around the world in temperate and tropical waters. Saw Sharks all have long, blade like snouts. Dogfish Sharks live on the bottom of the ocean, bear live young and are not considered dangerous to humans. Angel Sharks look a lot like Rays and are found most often on the continental shelves. Carpet Sharks like warm water and live on the bottom of the ocean.

Mackerel Sharks grow up to be very big, and can be found anywhere between tropical waters and Arctic waters. Bullhead Sharks like rocky reefs, and have only been found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. And finally, Frilled Sharks are the only ones with six or seven gill slits. They like deep water and usually stay near the bottom.

Harriet and Heming are in the water. Harriet is treading. Heming is floating on his back.
A bird hovers overhead.
"Harriet, I think I'm getting good at this.
But I can't see what's under me."
"There's another world under you Heming.
The entrance to the Tunnel to China is down there.
All you need is your scuba gear now."