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Cartilage Skeletons and Endless Teeth

Bones? Nope — Cartilage!

Here is a surprising fact: sharks have NO BONES! Their entire skeleton is made of CARTILAGE — the same bendy, flexible material that makes your nose and ears squishy. Squeeze your ear — that is cartilage! Having a cartilage skeleton makes sharks lighter and more flexible than bony fish. They can make sharp turns while swimming at high speed. Cartilage is also about half the density of bone, which helps sharks stay buoyant (float) without a swim bladder. Sharks have been swimming the oceans for over 450 million years — they are older than dinosaurs!

Cartilage Skeletons and Endless Teeth

Bones? Nope — Cartilage!

Here is a surprising fact: sharks have NO BONES! Their entire skeleton is made of CARTILAGE — the same bendy, flexible material that makes your nose and ears squishy. Squeeze your ear — that is cartilage! Having a cartilage skeleton makes sharks lighter and more flexible than bony fish. They can make sharp turns while swimming at high speed. Cartilage is also about half the density of bone, which helps sharks stay buoyant (float) without a swim bladder. Sharks have been swimming the oceans for over 450 million years — they are older than dinosaurs!