3 facts
This cartilaginous skeleton is lighter and more flexible than bone, allowing sharks to be incredibly agile predators. It also makes fossilization rare, as cartilage decays much faster than bone.
This deep-sea shark's jaw rapidly extends forward to snatch prey, a unique feeding mechanism among sharks that allows it to capture fast-moving targets. Its distinct pinkish skin and flattened, elongated snout also give it a prehistoric appearance.
Instead of bones, sharks have skeletons made entirely of cartilage, a flexible and durable connective tissue. This makes them lighter and more agile in the water, contributing to their impressive predatory abilities.