Dive into the Fascinating World of Sharks

Photo of a shark bursting through the corner of the picture

Sharks are some of the most fascinating, most ecologically important, most threatened, and most misunderstood animals on Earth. More often feared than revered, their role as predators of the deep have earned them a reputation as a major threat to humans. But the truth is that sharks are not a danger to us—they're in danger from us.

Learn more about these incredible creatures in the books below.

Why Sharks Matter

Get submerged in the amazing world of sharks! Your expert host, award-winning marine biologist Dr. David Shiffman, will show you how—and why—we should protect these mysterious, misunderstood guardians of the ocean. In Why Sharks Matter, marine conservation biologist Shiffman explains why it's crucial that we overcome our misconceptions and rise above cinematic jump scares to embrace sharks as the imperiled and elegant ocean guardians they really are. Sharing his own fascinating experiences working with sharks, Shiffman tells us:

  • why healthy shark populations are a must for supporting ocean ecosystems—and the coastal economies that depend on them 
  • why we're in danger of losing many shark species forever
  • what scientists, conservationists, and readers can do to help save these iconic predators
  • why so much of what you've heard about sharks and how to save them is wrong
page spread in Why Sharks Matter

Shark Biology and Conservation

Feed your fascination with sharks! This complete resource enlightens readers on the biology, ecology, and behavior of sharks with approachable explanations and more than 250 stunning color illustrations. World-renowned shark specialists Dan Abel and Dean Grubbs relay numerous stories and insights from their exciting experiences in the field. This book provides readers with a robust and wide range of essential knowledge as it:

  • introduces emerging as well as traditional techniques for classifying sharks, understanding their behavior, and unraveling the mysteries of their evolution
  • draws on both established shark science and the latest breakthroughs in the field, from molecular approaches to tracking technologies
  • highlights the often-neglected yet fascinating subject of shark physiology, including heart function, sensory biology, digestion, metabolic performance, and reproduction
  • addresses big picture ecological questions like "Which habitats do sharks prefer?" and "Where do sharks migrate and for what purpose?"
  • describes the astonishing diversity of sharks' adaptations to their environment
  • discusses which shark conservation techniques do and don't work
  • comments on the use and misuse of science in the study of sharks

Sharks of the Shallows

Sharks have adapted to thrive in every major aquatic realm on the planet, from frigid Arctic waters through temperate but stormy seas and on into the tropics. However, few places on Earth are home to the amazing diversity of shark species that beautify the shallow waters of Florida and the Bahamas. In this first-ever book dedicated to the sharks of this region, biologist Jeffrey C. Carrier reveals the captivating lives of these large marine predators and describes how they have survived for over 400 million years.

Guiding readers through basic biology, key attributes, and identification tips, the book explores what makes sharks such successful apex predators. Carrier explains fascinating phenomena, including the reason for the bizarre shape of the hammerhead, how a bull shark is able to swim hundreds of miles up freshwater rivers, what lies behind sharks’ remarkable capability to learn and remember, and why many scientists believe that they are equipped with the most sophisticated sensory systems in the animal kingdom. With the stunning full-color underwater photography of Andy Murch, Jillian Morris, and Duncan Brake, Sharks of the Shallows brings boaters, fishers, divers, and shark lovers directly alongside these unfairly maligned creatures. 

SharksBook cover for Sharks

Answering every conceivable question about sharks, authors Gene Helfman and George H. Burgess describe the fascinating biology, behavior, diversity (there are more than 1,000 species worldwide), and cultural importance of sharks, their close relationship to skates and rays, and their critical role in healthy ecosystems.

Helfman and Burgess take readers on a round-the-world tour of shark habitats, which include oceans as well as lakes and even rivers (as far up the Mississippi as St. Louis). They describe huge, ferocious predators like (Great) White and Tiger sharks and species such as Basking and Whale sharks that feed on microscopic prey yet can grow to lengths of more than 40 feet. The mysterious and powerful Greenland shark, the authors explain, reaches a weight of 2,200 pounds on a diet of seal flesh. Small (less than 2-foot long) Cookiecutter sharks attack other sharks and even take a chunk out of the occasional swimmer.

Sharks: The Animal Answer Guide presents a perfect mix of current science, history, anthropology, intriguing facts, and gripping photographs. Whether your fascination with sharks stems from fear or curiosity, your knowledge of these animals will improve immensely when you consult this book.

Written by: Kris Lykke
Publish Date:
Related News
Top 20 Articles of October 2024
Which journal articles from Hopkins Press were read most in October 2024? Wonder no more: catch up with what your colleagues have been reading in the list below!
Top 20 Articles October 2024
ICYMI: New & Notable Articles 28.10.2024
Each week, we collect the articles that we posted in the last week and put them all in one place, right here on the blog. So no worries if you missed an article we posted to Facebook, X/Twitter, Mastodon, Threads, Bluesky, Instagram and/or LinkedIn. Here they...
ICYMI New & Notable header