Celebrate Shark Awareness Month with a surprising science lesson

When students imagine the biggest animals in the ocean, they often picture fierce predators with enormous teeth. So they’re usually amazed to discover that the largest shark in the world – and even the biggest whales – feed on some of the smallest creatures in the ocean. So, why do sharks eat plankton

Download your free Shark Awareness Month classroom activity sheet at foot of article

It sounds impossible. Why would a 12-metre whale shark or a 30-metre humpback whale spend its day eating animals no bigger than your fingernail?

This fascinating question is the perfect way to spark curiosity during Shark Awareness Month (July) and Shark Awareness Day, while exploring food chains, adaptations and marine ecosystems.

Meet Queensland’s Gentle Giants

Queensland waters are home to some incredible marine animals, including species that rely on tiny marine life to survive.

Whale Shark

Despite being the largest fish on Earth, whale sharks feed almost entirely on plankton, tiny fish eggs and small schooling fish.

Instead of chasing large prey, they simply swim slowly through the water with their enormous mouths open, filtering thousands of litres of seawater every hour.

Although whale sharks are occasional visitors to South East Queensland, they are more commonly seen around the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef.

Whale shark fast facts

Is a whale shark a shark? 

Humpback Whale

Every winter, thousands of humpback whales migrate along the Queensland coast, passing places like Noosa, Mooloolaba and the Sunshine Coast.

These enormous mammals also feed on surprisingly small animals – mainly krill and other tiny crustaceans during their time in Antarctic waters before migrating north to breed.

Their baleen plates act like giant sieves, allowing them to trap huge amounts of food while letting seawater escape.

So…Why Eat Tiny Animals?

The answer is simple:

There are billions of them!

Tiny marine organisms like plankton and krill are among the most abundant living things on Earth.

Instead of hunting one large meal, whale sharks and baleen whales efficiently collect thousands – or even millions – of tiny animals in every mouthful.

Scientists call this filter feeding.

It is one of the most efficient feeding strategies in the ocean.

What Exactly Is Plankton?

Many students think plankton is just one type of animal.

In fact, plankton describes any tiny organism that drifts with ocean currents.

Some plankton are microscopic plants called phytoplankton, while others are tiny animals known as zooplankton.

These organisms form the foundation of almost every marine food chain.

Without plankton, there would be no fish, whales or sharks.

Amazing Ocean Adaptations

Filter-feeding animals have evolved remarkable adaptations.

Whale Sharks

• Huge mouths over one metre wide
• Tiny teeth that are rarely used
• Special filtering pads that trap food
• Gentle swimming behaviour

Baleen Whales

• No teeth
• Hundreds of baleen plates made from keratin
• Powerful tongues
• Huge expandable throats for gulp feeding

These adaptations help them collect enormous amounts of food while using very little energy.

Queensland Connection

Did you know?

Each winter, South East Queensland becomes one of Australia’s best places to observe humpback whales during their annual migration.

Students may even spot whales from:

• Noosa National Park
• Point Lookout (North Stradbroke Island)
• Cape Moreton
• Mooloolaba coastline
• Coolum and Peregian beaches

This makes Shark Awareness Month the perfect time to compare two of the ocean’s most impressive filter feeders – the whale shark and the humpback whale.

Where can Australian Students See Whale Sharks?

Include information such as:

• Ningaloo Reef (WA) hosts the world’s best-known seasonal whale shark aggregation.
• Whale sharks are occasionally seen in Queensland waters.

Classroom Activities (Years 7–9) – See Activity Handout Below

1. Bigger Isn’t Always Scarier

Show students pictures of:

• Great White Shark
• Whale Shark
• Humpback Whale

Ask:

Which one do you think eats the biggest prey?

Students are often surprised by the answer.

2. Build a Marine Food Chain

Challenge students to create a food web beginning with:

Sunlight → Phytoplankton → Zooplankton → Small Fish → Larger Fish → Sharks

Then compare it with:

Sunlight → Phytoplankton → Zooplankton → Whale Shark

or

Sunlight → Phytoplankton → Krill → Humpback Whale

Discuss how different species occupy different roles within marine ecosystems.

3. Design a Filter Feeder

Ask students to invent their own giant marine animal.

They should decide:

• How does it collect food?
• What adaptations does it need?
• Where does it live?
• What does it eat?
• How does it survive?

Students can label their design and explain how their adaptations help them feed efficiently.

4. STEM Challenge: Can You Filter Like a Whale?

Using everyday classroom materials, students design and test a simple filter that separates different-sized particles from water.

Encourage them to investigate:

• Which materials worked best?
• What particle sizes were captured?
• How is this similar to baleen or a whale shark’s filtering system?

This hands-on investigation introduces engineering design, observation and scientific inquiry.

Check out our other whale resources here.

Why Sharks Matter

Shark Awareness Month is about much more than changing people’s perceptions of sharks.

It is an opportunity to help students understand that sharks perform many different ecological roles.

While some species are top predators, others – like the whale shark – are gentle filter feeders that depend on healthy plankton populations and balanced marine ecosystems.

Protecting sharks helps protect the entire ocean. Check out our other shark resources here.

Australian Curriculum Links

This topic supports learning across Years 7–9, including:

• Science: Ecosystems, adaptations, food webs and biodiversity.
• Science Inquiry: Questioning, predicting, investigating and analysing evidence.
• Design and Technologies: Designing and testing filter-feeding models.
• Sustainability Cross-Curriculum Priority: Understanding healthy marine ecosystems and biodiversity conservation.

Bring Marine Science to Life

Want your students to experience marine science firsthand?

Ocean Life Education’s interactive incursions bring live marine animals into Queensland schools, helping students explore shark adaptations, marine food webs, ocean conservation and the incredible diversity of Australia’s coastal ecosystems.

Our curriculum-aligned programs inspire curiosity while supporting learning across Science, Geography and Sustainability.

Find out more about our live marine education incursions and discover how we can bring the wonders of the ocean to your classroom.

Book a Primary Ocean Science Incursion for Your School

Download your free Shark Awareness Month classroom activity sheet here

Thank you for reading: Why Do the Biggest Sharks Eat Tiny Animals?

Author: Hayley Gee, Marine Educator, Ocean Life Education

The post Why Do Whale Sharks Eat Plankton? Why the Biggest Sharks Eat Tiny Food appeared first on Ocean Life Education.

Looking for topical Shark Incursions in Brisbane that are hands-on, curriculum-aligned and unforgettable?

Ocean Life Education delivers engaging marine education programs to Brisbane Early Learning Centres and Primary Schools, bringing live sharks and other marine animals, shark artefacts and ocean science directly into your classroom.

It’s not just a visit. It’s a deep dive into understanding the local ocean – and why sharks matter more than most people realise.

Why Book a Shark Incursion for Your Brisbane School?

When schools search for marine education incursions in Brisbane, they’re looking for programs that are:

Aligned with the Australian Curriculum & EYLF
Age-appropriate for Early Years and Primary
Science-based and engaging
Memorable and interactive
Delivered by qualified marine educators

Ocean Life Education’s Shark Incursion Brisbane programs tick every box – while also building environmental awareness and critical thinking skills. And what’s more, kids get to meet a real live shark!

Book an Incursion Now

Why Sharks Are Crucial to Ecosystems (And Why Kids Need to Know)

Sharks are apex predators – which means they sit at the top of the food chain. Their role is essential for:

Maintaining balance in marine food webs

Preventing overpopulation of mid-level species

Protecting coral reefs and seagrass beds

Supporting biodiversity across the ocean

When shark populations decline, entire ecosystems can suffer.

Teaching students about sharks helps replace fear with understanding – and empowers them to see how healthy oceans connect directly to healthy communities, climate stability and even the seafood industries we rely on.

Education builds future ocean stewards.

Read more about shark’s role in ecosystems.

Early Years Shark Incursions (EYLF Aligned)

For Brisbane Kindergartens and Early Learning Centres, our shark incursions focus on sensory exploration, curiosity and foundational science concepts.

Students explore:

Marine habitats

Animal features and adaptations

Simple food chains

Respect for living creatures

Live animal interaction and observation of a real shark, as well as tactile experiences help young learners connect emotionally with marine life – an important step in developing environmental empathy.

Suggested Follow-Up Activities (EY):

Marine sensory tubs with shells and ocean textures

Shark storytelling and movement play

Paint and label “parts of a shark”

Habitat matching games – focusing on local habitat, such as the Brisbane River, The Great Barrier Reef, or The Sunshine Coast coastal region.

These all align perfectly with EYLF Outcomes.

See our SHARK RESOURCES

Primary School Shark Incursions Brisbane

For Primary students across Brisbane and South East Queensland, programs go deeper into marine science and ecosystems.

Students investigate:

Shark biology and adaptations

Predator-prey relationships

Food webs and ecosystem balance

Human impact and conservation

Shark myths vs facts

Observing a real shark and real shark jaws and artefacts create a powerful learning moment that students remember long after the session ends.

Suggested Follow-Up Activities (Primary):

Build a Marine Food Web
Students create a visual web showing sharks at the top and explore what happens if they’re removed. This can focus around local species, such as turtles and local types of fish.

Shark Species Research Task
Compare different shark species, habitats and conservation status. Look at what different shark species live in local rivers and off the coast of Queensland and the human impact on them.

Ocean Conservation Campaign Posters
Encourage persuasive writing and sustainability awareness using local issues such as the Nets Out Now Campaign or considering shark bite incidents that have affected Australia recently, such as in Sydney.

Adaptation Investigation Stations
Match shark features (teeth, fins, gills) to survival functions.

These activities support Australian Curriculum Science strands including Biological Sciences and Sustainability cross-curriculum priorities.

See our SHARK RESOURCES

Shark Education in Brisbane: Why It Matters

Brisbane is a coastal city. Many students regularly visit beaches across South East Queensland and sharks inhabit our local waterways and coastline. Sharks are a very topical and living case study for Brisbane children, which assists in bringing learning to life.

Understanding sharks through education:

• Reduces fear and misinformation
• Promotes safer ocean behaviour
• Builds marine science literacy
• Encourages environmental responsibility

When children learn that sharks help protect reefs, regulate ecosystems and maintain ocean health, they begin to see the ocean as an interconnected system – not just a place to swim.

That shift in thinking is powerful.

Read our blog: Why (Shark) Ocean Education Matters More than Ever.

Book a Shark Incursion in Brisbane

Ocean Life Education has delivered thousands of marine education sessions across Brisbane and Queensland.

Bring the ocean to your classroom – and inspire the next generation of ocean guardians.

Useful Links

• “Explore our Primary Marine Programs”

• “See our Early Years Incursions”

• “Learn more about Sharks – Resources”

Thank you for reading: Shark Incursions Brisbane

Author: Hayey Gee

The post Shark Incursions Brisbane appeared first on Ocean Life Education.

A Summer of Tragedy: Why Ocean Education Matters More Than Ever

The recent series of shark encounters in Sydney, including one tragic fatality, is a sobering reminder of why education about the ocean and its inhabitants is so important. While these events are devastating, they also highlight a crucial truth: understanding marine environments, shark behaviour, and safe swimming practices can significantly reduce the risk of dangerous encounters.

If more people had a basic understanding of shark movement patterns, feeding behaviour, and how weather events affect ocean conditions, many of these incidents may have been avoided.

How Heavy Rain Changes Shark Behaviour

Over summer, Sydney experienced substantial rainfall. This causes large volumes of freshwater, along with pollution and runoff, to flow into rivers, canals, and bays. Bull sharks, which often inhabit these areas, are forced out of their usual environments in search of cleaner, saltier water.

As a result, they move along the coastline and closer to popular recreational areas such as Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

However, even coastal water after heavy rain is often murky and dirty. In low-visibility conditions, sharks cannot rely on sight to hunt. Instead, they detect vibrations in the water. Erratic splashing or surface movement can feel like injured fish or prey, causing sharks to investigate. They do this with their mouths, which can result in catastrophic injuries to humans.

It’s important to understand that sharks – including bull sharks – do not consider humans to be food. These encounters are cases of mistaken identity.

Safer Swimming Starts With Knowledge – The Message is Simple & Clear:

Avoid swimming in murky or dirty water, especially after heavy rain

Don’t swim at dawn or dusk, when visibility is low and sharks are more actively feeding

Pay attention to water conditions, warnings, and local advice

If more people were armed with this knowledge, safer swimming practices would be far more widely followed – and the risk of incidents would be greatly reduced.

Education, Not Fear, Is the Answer

We must learn to live with the environment and all that is in it, not try to change it to suit ourselves. Culling sharks is not the answer to making the ocean safer.

Education is.

By teaching children and adults how ocean ecosystems work, how animals behave, and how to safely enjoy our beaches, we empower people to make smarter, safer choices – and protect both humans and marine life.

At Ocean Life Education, this is exactly what we believe in: building understanding, respect, and knowledge so we can all enjoy the ocean more safely and responsibly.

Useful Links

Our Educational Programs

Shark Teaching Resources & Courses

ABC Article: Living with fear of sharks is part of life in the ocean

Thank you for reading: A Summer of Tragedy: Why Ocean Education Matters More Than Ever

The post A Summer of Tragedy: Why Ocean Education Matters More Than Ever appeared first on Ocean Life Education.

When we ask kids about sharks, their first response is often fear or fascination. Either way, they are often very passionate about the subject, which provides a great basis for learning. Sharks play a crucial role in ocean ecosystems, making them an ideal subject for cross-curricular learning in primary classrooms – integrating science, geography, literacy, and citizenship.

Why Sharks Matter in Ocean Ecosystems

Sharks are apex predators. As top-level predators, they help maintain the balance of marine life, supporting the health of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and other critical habitats. Without sharks, our ocean ecosystems can become unstable, leading to the overpopulation of some species and the collapse of others.

Link: Ocean Life Education Video – Why We Need Sharks

Sharks are Guardians of the Ocean

Movies and myths often cast sharks as villains, but they’re essential guardians of the ocean. Teaching kids about sharks helps bust common myths and builds respect for these incredible animals. It also opens up conversations around the marine food chain, shark conservation, and the importance of protecting ocean biodiversity.

Shark Resources from Ocean Life Education

What Role Do Sharks Play in the Ecosystem?

1. Balance Marine Populations
   Sharks regulate the populations of prey species like rays and smaller fish, preventing them from overgrazing critical habitats like seagrass and coral reefs.
2. Support Ocean Biodiversity
   By preying on weak or sick individuals, sharks help keep marine species healthy, promoting genetic strength and ecological balance.
3. Drive Evolution
   Sharks influence the behaviour and evolution of other marine animals. Their presence encourages adaptive traits and survival strategies in prey species. Watch our Shark Adaptation Mini Video here and check out our Adaptation themed programs.
4. Indicate Ocean Health
   A thriving shark population is a key sign of a healthy ocean. Sharp declines in shark numbers often signal wider problems in the marine food web, with long-term consequences for both wildlife and human communities.

Cross-Curricular Classroom Connections

Teaching about sharks links to several key areas of the version 9 Australian Curriculum:

Science (Biological Sciences): Study food chains, life cycles, animal adaptations, and ocean habitats. See our Primary Incursions with these themes.

Geography: Explore the distribution of shark species and the environmental conditions they need.

English: Inspire persuasive writing, shark fact files, and conservation-themed research projects. See our Ocean Literacy Incursions.

Civics & Citizenship: Discuss human impact on marine environments and ethical issues such as East Coast Australia’s shark nets, shark finning and overfishing.

Shark-Themed Learning Activities

Use these ideas to bring Shark Awareness Day or any ocean unit to life:

Create a shark food web to show energy flow in ocean ecosystems.

Research shark species, comparing their roles, habitats, and adaptations such as shark teeth. Watch our shark teeth video here.

Host a Shark Awareness Day where students present posters, speeches, or science reports.

Debate topics like the use of shark nets on the East Coast of Australia or shark finning.

Design posters promoting shark conservation for kids and families.

Book a shark focused Primary Incursion with Ocean Life Education

Shark Resources and Programs

Explore our Shark Discovery Program for Early Years – hands-on, interactive learning for young ocean lovers.

Dive into our Primary School Programs, which can be tailored to explore shark roles in healthy ocean ecosystems.

Download shark resources and teaching aids and printable resources to support your lesson planning.

Take our online Shark Course – Amazing Sharks – learn the facts and get certified!

Inspiring Future Ocean Guardians

Teaching kids that sharks are not to be feared, but respected and protected, helps shape a generation of informed, compassionate global citizens. By exploring sharks’ importance in the marine environment, we can nurture curiosity, boost critical thinking, and encourage action to protect our oceans.

Example alignment version 9 Science Curriculum

Year 4: AC9S4U01 – consumers, producers and decomposers within a habitat, food chains
Year 7: AC9S7U02 – food webs, energy flow in ecosystems, abiotic and biotic factors on populations

About Ocean Life Education

Ocean Life Education is committed to inspiring young Australians to appreciate and understand the wonders of our marine environments. Through engaging, hands-on programs that support version 9 of the Australian curriculum, we bring the ocean into classrooms and outdoor learning spaces in a way that’s fun, educational, and memorable. Each experience is tailored to meet the unique needs of your school or event, with a strong focus on local marine topics.

Our sessions feature live marine animals and interactive displays, giving students the chance to connect directly with the natural world. By encouraging curiosity and building environmental awareness, we empower children to take an active role in caring for our oceans and the incredible life they support.

For more information about what we do, check out Ocean Life Education.

We hoped you enjoyed reading our blog: Teaching Kids About Sharks: Their Crucial Role in Ocean Ecosystems

Here’s a link to our other curriculum themed blogs

The post Teaching Kids About Sharks: Their Crucial Role in Ocean Ecosystems appeared first on Ocean Life Education.

Sharks and rays take the spotlight on July 14 each year as we celebrate Shark & Ray Awareness Day. This global event focuses on the positive impact that sustainability can have on populations of these magnificent species in our oceans.

Sharks and rays are true marvels of natural selection, with extraordinary physical and behavioral adaptations that have allowed them to thrive in diverse marine environments. These creatures play a crucial role in marine food webs and contribute significantly to the health and balance of our oceans.

Rays, often referred to as “flattened sharks,” are closely related to their more well-known cousins. They possess unique features, such as their flattened bodies and wing-like fins, which make them exceptional swimmers and hunters. Both sharks and rays are indispensable contributors to the delicate ecosystem of our oceans.

Shark & Ray Awareness Day serves as a platform for education and engagement. By understanding these amazing creatures, we can all play a vital role in protecting them and ensuring their survival for generations to come.

Core messages of Shark and Ray Awareness Day

• Educate the public
• Promote sustainable practices
• Combat Misconceptions
• Support Conservation Efforts
• Engage the Youth

Read on to discover why we need to raise awareness and what you can do to help…

Combating Misconceptions in Australia

Sharks often face an unjustified negative reputation in the media, overshadowing their critical role in marine ecosystems.

On average, three people are killed by sharks in Australia each year. Many more fatalities occur due to encounters with horses and cows. In comparison, an estimated 100 million sharks are killed worldwide by humans annually.

Sharks, in particular, have been subject to negative portrayals in popular media and culture, leading to fear and unwarranted demonization. Many people associate sharks with danger and aggression, which has perpetuated the idea that they are ruthless killers. In reality, shark attacks on humans are relatively rare, and most shark species are not a threat to humans.

How can you help?

One effective way to address this image problem is by learning all you can about sharks and rays, and sharing your enthusiasm with others. You can also choose to support only media that portrays a positive image of these misunderstood animals.

Australia Needs Sharks

Sharks are crucial for the sustainability of Australian waters and marine environments globally. They serve as top predators, helping to control the balance of marine species and ensure ecological stability. Removing sharks from these ecosystems would have far-reaching consequences, disrupting the delicate balance of marine life and threatening the health of coral reefs, including the magnificent Great Barrier Reef in Queensland.

The Great Barrier Reef Needs Sharks

The Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest natural wonder, is a global treasure attracting millions of tourists every year. Sharks are an integral part of this vibrant ecosystem, contributing to its biodiversity and resilience. Their presence enriches the experience of divers and snorkelers, offering an opportunity to witness the wonders of the marine world up close.

 Read Our Guide to Sharks Down Under

Support Shark Conservation Efforts

The excessive and indiscriminate fishing of sharks and rays, driven by the high demand for their products, is the primary threat to their survival. The demand for shark fins, in particular, has led to a devastating practice known as shark finning, where sharks are caught, their fins are cut off, and the rest of the body is often discarded back into the ocean, still alive. This wasteful practice has resulted in serious declines in many shark and ray populations worldwide. As a result of these unsustainable fishing practices, one-third of shark and ray species are now classified as threatened with extinction

How can you help?

You can help by supporting campaigns and by always purchasing sustainable seafood. Remember, shark is often labelled as flake in Australian fish and chip shops.

How to Engage Kids and Celebrate Shark and Ray Awareness Day

We need to take time to learn the facts about sharks and why they are so important to us and our world, so that we can help to protect them. Inspiring kids by teaching them about sharks is crucial to improving the outlook for sharks.

We have created a range of FREE shark videos and fact sheets to assist in teaching children, as well as a paid online teaching resource pack and an online sharks course for kids.

Our resources and videos cover the following shark themed curriculum topics for kids:

Adapatation, Habitats, Human Impact, Food Webs, Natural Selection, Classification, and more…

Amazing Sharks Videos for Kids

Ocean Life Education’s owner and Director of Education, Richard Coward, is a marine scientist and recently created a range of engaging shark videos for kids, entitled:

• Built to Hunt
• The Point of Teeth
• Why We Need Sharks
• Why Sharks Attack

 Click here to watch Amazing Sharks video

 Quiz – Search for Your Inner Shark

How much are you like a shark??

Take the Quiz

We hope you enjoy our resources and courses and that you become an advocate for our misunderstood sharks and rays too.

 Other Important Shark & Ray Awareness Days to Remember

• June 25- Angel Shark Day
• August 30- International Whale Shark Day
• September 17- World Manta Day
• October 17- International Sawfish
• October 30- Ghost Shark Day

Useful links

Join a volunteer shark conservation organisation like:

• Sea Shepherd
• Sharks & Rays of Australia 
• Marine Conservation Australia

The post Guide to Shark and Ray Awareness Day in Australia appeared first on Ocean Life Education.

Whale sharks look quite different to how we imagine a shark to look. They are enormous, reaching 12 meters or more in length and weighing as much as 16 tons – basically, they are about the size of a bus! And they don’t have sharp teeth, in fact their teeth don’t really assist in feeding at all. So, it’s no surprise that people often ask us the question…is a whale shark a shark?

Are Whale Sharks Really Sharks?

The answer is yes, whale sharks really are sharks. They have all the 33 characteristics of a shark, such as a cartilage skeleton, five pairs of gills and unfused pectoral fins to the head. Unlike whales, they are not mammals and their young are not fed by the mother’s milk. Like sharks, whale sharks are fish. In fact they are the largest fish in the ocean. So, whale sharks really are sharks…and they get their name from the fact that they are enormous!

What Do Whale Sharks Eat? 

Whale sharks have rows of over 300 tiny teeth, but as filter feeders they do not use these teeth to eat. Instead, whale sharks (and other filter feeding sharks) swim along the ocean’s currents with their huge mouths open wide, filtering large quantities of water as they go and extracting tiny organisms called plankton & krill from the water. A whale shark’s mouth is about 1.5 meters wide, so it’s an impressive sight!

The 3 largest sharks include (in size order)

1. Whale Shark 17 meters
2. Basking Shark 15 m
3. Megamouth Shark 7-8 m

All filter feeders!

Diet: Plankton (tiny organisms), krill and small fish

Ten Amazing Whale Shark Facts

1. Largest fish and shark in the world
2. Habitat: warm open waters of the tropical oceans 
3. Whale sharks spend most of their time near the surface
4. Lifespan: 70 to 100 years
5. Average length of an adult: 9.7 meters
6. Average weight: 9 tonnes
7. Teeth: over 300 rows of tiny teeth – not used for eating!
8. Whale sharks are solitary creatures
9. Filter feeders – feeding mainly on plankton
10. Able to process over 6,000 litres of water each hour

Why We Need Sharks

Learn more about sharks? 

Check out our Amazing Sharks Online Shark Course

Check out our Shark Resources

Further reading…

Save Our Seas – Whale Sharks Down Under

The post Is a Whale Shark a Shark? appeared first on Ocean Life Education.

We think so! We hear so many negative stories about sharks in the media but what role do they actually play in the ocean and why are they important to us?

The fact is that sharks are a crucial part of the food chain and help keep the oceans, planet (and us), healthy… and their numbers are dwindling fast.

Read on to discover why we need sharks and why we need to take action to protect these misunderstood creatures…

Sharks Get a Bad Press 

Many people fear sharks because of sensationalised stories in the media and scary films like Jaws.

The fact is that 100 million sharks are killed by humans each year and sharks kill around 12 humans a year.

So, maybe sharks should be scared of us, not the other way around?

Learn the Facts About Sharks

We need to take time to learn the facts about sharks and why they are so important to us and our world, so that we can help protect them. So, we have developed a range of FREE shark resources and an online Amazing Sharks Course aimed at dispelling the myths and promoting the facts about these misunderstood creatures.

Here are some REAL FACTS about Sharks…

Sharks Help Create a Healthy Ecosystem

Sharks are APEX predators, which means they sit at the top of the food chain and help control the numbers of animals below them in that food chain. By controlling populations of large and mid-sized predators, sharks allow smaller fish to thrive, which has a knock on effect on the food chain below them. Therefore, sharks help create a healthy ecosystem with a diverse range of species and competitors.

Sharks Are a Keystone Species

Apex predators like sharks are known as keystone species. This means that they are crucially important. If you take sharks out of the food chain, the whole structure could collapse.

Sharks & Natural Selection

Sharks play an important role in natural selection because they prey on and remove weak and sick animals. This reduces the chances of them reproducing and helps keep fish populations healthy and strong.

Sharks & Habitat Loss

Sharks help prevent habitat loss. Habitats like coral reef depend on their fishy caretakers, like the little reef fish that live on them and clean and protect them from disease. Without sharks controlling numbers of big fish in a marine ecosystem, the numbers of these fish could explode. They would in turn kill off the smaller fish. If that happens, the reef would become diseased and die off, affecting millions of animals that depend on it for survival.

Everything On Earth is Connected

The earth’s ocean produces 70 % of the oxygen we breath, food to eat, controls the climate, breaks down pollution, provides us with medicine and much, much more.

Humans are part of our amazing planet’s ecosystem. So, it is in our best interest to protect our home environment and everything within it…including sharks.

Want to Know more?

Watch our video: Why We Need Sharks

Read Our Blog: How to Engage Kids with Sharks

How You Can Help Protect Sharks

• Get educated about sharks – why not start with our FREE RESOURCES and Amazing Sharks Course 
• Share positive shark facts with friends and on social media
• Reduce your fish consumption & don’t buy fish marked ‘flake’ – it’s shark
• Join a shark conservation organisation – Sea Shepherd – Sharks & Rays of Australia  –  Marine Conservation Australia

Check out Ocean Life Education’s other blogs:

How to Inspire Kids to Protect the Ocean

Reasons Why We Depend on Our Oceans

How Can I Protect the Ocean

Check out the latest film ‘Shark Cull’ for some interesting views about shark safety programs off Australia’s East Coast 

The post Should We Protect Sharks? appeared first on Ocean Life Education.

Most children (and adults!) are naturally fascinated by sharks, either through sheer awe and wonder or by misguided fear. So, it’s no surprise that we can engage kids with sharks to learn a whole range of curriculum topics, without them even realising!

Ocean Life Education has developed a range of FREE online shark teaching resources and an online shark course to provide kids, schools and teachers with engaging ways to learn about sharks.

Why Are Kids Fascinated by Sharks?

shark anatomy – amazing sharks online course

Unfortunately, kid’s interest in sharks is often fuelled by exaggerated media stories and scary films, but it’s sharks’ appearance, immense power and ability to hunt that really grab their attention.

Incredibly, sharks have been around for at least 450 million years (since before the dinosaurs). A major reason why sharks have outlasted so many other animals, and a key reason why we are so fascinated by sharks, is their incredible anatomy, which is adapted to hunt and to survive.

Teaching Kids About Sharks Helps Protect Sharks and The Ocean

sharks & natural selection

As APEX predators, sharks sit at the top of the food chain and help control the numbers of animals below them in the food web, thus maintaining the balance of life in their marine habitat. By controlling populations of large and mid-sized predators, sharks allow smaller fish to thrive, ensuring healthy ecosystems with a diverse range of species and competitors. Take sharks out of the food chain and the whole structure could collapse.

As we depend on healthy oceans for around 70% of the air that we breath, as well as for a host of other things such as food to eat, it is in our interest to minimise human impact and protect animals that protect our ocean.

Curriculum Themes and Sharks

Through the fascinating topic of sharks, kids can learn a host of curriculum themes such as adaptation, habitats, human impact, food webs, natural selection and classification. Studying the curriculum, while being thoroughly engrossed in the subject matter, makes the process of learning all the more enjoyable and inspiring.

Learning Enrichment and Sharks

Often children who need extra support within learning enrichment respond really well to curriculum-based learning which is based around their own topic of interest. That’s where teaching ‘Sharks’ can be a really useful tool to stimulate interest and hook children in.

Sharks Course for Kids & Shark Teaching Resources 

Ocean Life Education has created a host of engaging FREE shark teaching resources and activities: videos, sharks fact sheets & infographics, shark worksheets, shark activities, shark quizzes and an online shark course for kids (and adults!), with the aim of promoting understanding of sharks. All can be used as engaging shark teaching resources for educators, as well as fun shark activities for kids.

Online Sharks Course for Kids

Amazing Sharks Certificate

Become a Shark Legend with Ocean Life Education’s Amazing Sharks online course – learn the facts, bust the myths and help protect these totally awesome creatures through a fun and interactive online shark course. Personalised shark legend achievement certificate awarded on completion. Suits Age 7+.

We hope you enjoy our resources and course and are inspired to want to protect amazing sharks too.

Want to know more?

Link – ONLINE SHARKS COURSE

Link – SHARK RESOURCES

Blog – Should We Protect Sharks?

5 Awesome Shark Facts

• Sharks have been around since before the dinosaurs.
• Sharks are literally built to hunt.
• Sharks can produce 30,000 teeth in a lifetime.
• Humans depend on sharks.
• You have more chance of being killed by a cow than a shark!

5 Easy Ways to Help Protect Sharks

• Educate yourself and your friends about the importance of sharks – take our Amazing Sharks Course
• Share your love of sharks on social media
• Reduce seafood consumption and check labels thoroughly!
• Don’t buy fish marked ‘flake’ – it’s shark
• Join a volunteer shark conservation organisation like Sea Shepherd or Sharks & Rays of Australia & Shark Conservation Australia.

The post Engage Kids with Sharks appeared first on Ocean Life Education.

Whale sharks are truly amazing creatures. Check out our whale shark fast facts to learn some jaw-dropping facts about them…

Ten Amazing Facts About Whale Sharks

1. The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest fish and shark in the world
2. The whale shark is found in warm open waters of the tropical oceans 
3. The lifespan of the whale shark ranges from 70 to 100 years
4. The whale shark is also the largest non-cetacean animal in the world
5. The average length of an adult whale sharks is 9.7 meters and they weigh on average 9 tonnes
6. Whale sharks have over 300 rows of tiny teeth – not used for eating!
7. Whale sharks are solitary creatures
8. Whale sharks spend most of their time near the surface
9. The whale shark is a filter feeder, feeding mainly on plankton
10. Whale sharks can process over 6,000 litres (1,500 gallons) of water each hour

Want to know more about sharks? 

Check out our Amazing Sharks Online Shark Course

Check out our Shark Resources

Further reading…

Save Our Seas – Whale Sharks Down Under

The post Whale Shark Fast Facts appeared first on Ocean Life Education.

Check out our ultimate ‘Amazing Sharks’ Facts Quiz and discover how much you really know about JAWSOME SHARKS…

 Questions

• 1. What is the largest species of shark?
• 2. What are baby sharks are called?
• 3. What are shark bones made of?
• 4. Up to how many teeth do sharks have? 100s, 1,000s or 10,000s?
• 5. Is shark skin smooth or rough?
• 6. What is the collective noun for a shark?
• 7. What is the fastest shark in the ocean?
• 8. What is the smallest species of shark in the ocean?
• 9. Do sharks have eyelids?
• 10. Can sharks see in colour?
• 11. Approximately how many species of shark can be found around Australia?
• 12. How many sharks are killed by humans every year?
• 13. On average, how many people are killed by sharks in Australia each year?
• 14. Name three species of shark commonly found off Australia
• 15. Do sharks lay eggs or give birth to live young?
• 16. What are mermaid’s purses?
• 17. Which common shark lives in fresh and salt water?
• 18. From what distance can sharks detect blood?
• 19. From what distance can sharks sense vibration?
• 20. Do all sharks need to keep moving to breath?

Answers

• 1. The largest species of shark is the whale shark
• 2. Baby sharks are called pups
• 3. Shark bones are made of cartilage
• 4. Many sharks have multiple rows of sharp teeth – they can grow up to 35,000 in a lifetime
• 5. Rough – shark skin feels like sandpaper
• 6. The collective noun for a shark is a Shiver (or School, Shoal)
• 7. The fastest shark in the ocean is the Shortfin Mako Shark (up to 74k an hour)
• 8. The smallest species of shark is the Dwarf Lantern Shark (smaller than an adult human hand)
• 9. Yes – sharks do have eyelids but they don’t blink
• 10. No – sharks do not see in colour
• 11. Approximately 180 species of shark can be found around Australia
• 12. 100 million sharks die each year
• 13. 1 person on average each year
• 14. Sharks commonly found off Australia…Great White, Port Jackson, Thresher, Zebra Shark, Tiger Shark, Tasselled Wobbegong, Whale Shark, Oceanic Whitetip, Blacktip Reef, Grey Nurse, Bull Shark, Bronze Whaler, Great Hammerhead, Blind Shark, Pygmy Shark
• 15. Some sharks lay eggs (oviparous) others give birth to live young  (viviparous), and some are a combination of these two, they start life inside their mother as an egg, hatch inside her and then are born live (ovoviviparous)
• 16. Shark eggs – egg laying sharks lay egg cases known as mermaid’s purses
• 17. Bull Shark
• 18. Sharks are able to detect blood from 5 km
• 19. Sharks can sense vibrations from 3 kilometres away
• 20. No. Some sharks must swim constantly in order to get oxygen-rich water flowing over their gills but others pump water through their respiratory system.

How did you do in our ultimate ‘Amazing Sharks’ Facts Quiz?

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SHARKS?

Click the image below to take our online sharks course and click here for heaps of free information and resources about sharks. 

Take Action to Protect Amazing Sharks

• Educate yourself and your friends
• Share your love of sharks on your social media channels
• Join a volunteer shark conservation organisation like Shark Conservation Australia, Marine Conservation Australia, Sea Shepherd Australia – make a donation if you can!
• Join a beach clean or just clean as you go!
• Buy sustainable seafood and check restaurants have done so. Avoid flake at the Fish & Chip shop as it may be endangered shark
• Ask politicians to support ocean acidification research

Ocean Life Education is passionate about protecting all marine animals and focusing on the important role sharks play in our oceans.  We aim to separate fact from fiction when it comes to the most feared fish in the sea.

Check out our Shark Discovery Program for more information on how to inspire kids to love and respect sharks: www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/programs/holiday-program/

The post Amazing Sharks Facts Quiz appeared first on Ocean Life Education.