Shark blue: description of the species, habitat, origin and features

Blue Shark ... At the mention of this word combination, the heart of many scuba divers starts to beat faster. These majestic predators have always been entangled in a halo of mystery and instilling fear. The size and power of their jaws are legendary. Are these sea monsters dangerous, and what is actually hidden under the guise of bloody murderers? Perhaps, it is worth beginning with the fact that this predator is the most common representative of its family in the waters of the World Ocean.

Amazing coloring

It belongs to the subspecies of gray sharks, which have always been famous for their predatory grip and high speed of movement. The name of its fish sharks (blue) received, like many others, as a result of its bluish-blue coloration. Her back is predominantly dark blue, the sides are tender blue, and the abdomen is white. More recently, this inhabitant of the water depths was one of the most widespread fish on the planet. But today the population of these majestic and graceful predators is rapidly declining. Perhaps, in the near future their numbers will reach a critically low level. After all, there are frequent cases when in the network to experienced sailors come very young individuals who have not yet had time to acquire offspring.

Shark blue: habitats, origin

The halo of the habitation of these sea queens is limited mainly to the Indian and Pacific oceans. This indicates that this species is a thermophilic adherent of calm waters. However, from time to time they are noticed in the areas of Argentina or New Zealand. In constant searches for the production of a shark, blue can be in the waters near Norway or even Iceland. Unlike its many relatives, it rarely migrates to long distances. When there is a sufficient amount of food, there are favorable climatic conditions, then the probability that this species will go on a long journey across the seas and oceans is relatively small.

Body structure and comfortable water temperature

Predator prefers a comfortable temperature, which can fluctuate within the positive temperature: from 7-8 to 15-16 degrees Celsius. It is logical to conclude that such a regime is not characteristic of deep oceanic waters, where even the sun's rays penetrate with difficulty. Therefore, the blue shark prefers the upper layers of water. Despite all his agility and speed, it does not sink to a depth of more than three hundred meters. The individual, grown up in comfortable conditions for life, can reach a length of four meters, weigh about four hundred kilograms. This species differs from other of its relatives in a rather thin physique. Some would call it fusiform. However, despite its compactness, the blue shark has fairly large and powerful pectoral fins. Thanks to such a small weight and strong muscles, this predator can develop a dizzying speed in the water.

Standard diet

What can you say about the diet of these sea explorers? This factor depends on the habitat, namely, the coastal or more remote oceanic zone. At various depths are found the most diverse marine life, so in search of food sharks have to take into account this natural factor. And they perfectly cope with this problem. Far away from the shore, a shark of blue feeds on small fish: herring, mackerel or sardine, sometimes it also includes squid in its diet. The coastal zone is more rich in living creatures than the sea depths. Therefore, near the shore, you can often catch small fish, waterfowl and waste, which is what a blue shark does. The description of her maritime feats is often admired. And this is with the condition that she practically does not distinguish colors! However, this defect is fully compensated by impeccable sense of smell and remarkable contrast perception.

Now a little bit about how the blue shark breeds. Description of many scientific publications suggests that this species refers to viviparous sharks. Pregnancy on average lasts from nine to twelve months. A distinctive feature is the number of newborn sharks. They can be from four to hundreds! Mother prefers breeding offspring in warm coastal waters. In spite of the large brood, only few go to further navigation. This is often associated with illegal fishing, as a result of which poachers catch a lot of young and still fragile fish.

Blue Shark and Man

Perhaps not only man is a threat to the predator, but vice versa. The blue shark represents a direct and serious danger to human life. The likelihood of an attack or, if one may say so, an accident is especially great in the open ocean. After a shipwreck or other man-made disaster, a person is alone with the elements. And the blue shark will not miss the chance to profit from fresh prey. This danger is also subject to scuba divers and careless bathers. The shark can lurk in attractive warm waters and quiet lagoons. Getting in the teeth to a shark, in most cases, you can immediately say goodbye to life. Their powerful jaws are constructed in such a way that it is almost impossible to get out of the mouth.

Sharp razor-shaped front teeth are also concave inwards. Their triangular shape resembles small sharp daggers. An interesting feature is the small furrows, which are located on the muzzle of a toothy predator. Their main function is to increase the sensitivity of receptors that detect odors. Due to this shark can feel the blood or smell of prey at a huge distance, which sometimes exceeds tens of kilometers.

On the verge of extinction

Whatever it was, the blue shark is a beautiful and powerful animal that does much less harm to a person than he does to her. Soups from shark fins, so beloved by many gourmets, have caused their mass extermination. The authorities take all possible measures. Despite this, the population of these majestic marine inhabitants inevitably decreases. Unfortunately, everything depends on the consciousness of each person individually. However, there is still a ghostly hope that the blue shark will never disappear from the pages of history.