Sharks

Sharks come in all sizes, from the tiny spined pygmy to the 40-foot whale shark, but the great white is hands-down the most famous, thanks in no small part to a little movie called "Jaws."

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Ever wondered what sharks might find in their waters besides fish? Turns out, some Brazilian sharpnose sharks (Rhizoprionodon lalandii) have been swimming in some rather strange seas - ones laced with cocaine.

By Desiree Bowie

Sharks: They are the stuff of legend and the stuff of nightmares. But which are the biggest? Here are the top 10.

By Carrie Tatro

Porbeagles are related to great whites, but while they're also athletic killers, they're smaller and far less ferocious. And what's with the funny dog name?

By Mark Mancini

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Decades before Discovery started its wildly successful Shark Week, Americans were transfixed by stories of shark-infested waters.

By Janet M. Davis

The lemon shark isn't as aggressive as some other sharks and it isn't quite as yellow as its name suggests.

By Katie Carman

This denizen of the frigid deep not only lives a crazy long life, it also can grow up to 24 feet in length and eating its flesh can make humans "shark drunk."

By Katie Carman

Shark shocker! This 'virgin birth' is the first example of a shark switching from sexual to asexual reproduction.

By Jesslyn Shields

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In the past decade, several two-headed shark fetuses have been discovered. Is there something going on in the oceans we should know about?

By Jesslyn Shields

Think science has sharks all figured out? Think again. We still have so many unanswered questions about the aquatic marvels.

By Jesslyn Shields

Most of us would take to the seas a bit easier without any hammerheads, blacktips or bull sharks patrolling the waters below. The truth is, however, sharks help maintain a balanced ecosystem.

By Chris Opfer

A shark is coming at you. It opens its mouth wide, baring teeth. Will you be able to reach around and poke it in the eyes without losing an arm?

By Cristen Conger

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Sharks scare us to death. What scares them? Magnets. Researchers have tossed magnets in the water and watched the sharks dart away. But what could be so repugnant about a magnet?

By Cristen Conger

It's scary enough to imagine a shark's toothy jaw snapping at your half-submerged body in the ocean. But the actual impact of its massive mouth clamping down? Surprisingly wimpy.

By Josh Clark

If your ears picked up on a 40-hertz signal, you might wonder what the annoying sound was all about. But if you're a shark and you hear this "yummy hum," it might mean it's dinner time.

By Josh Clark

Scuba divers, leave your bling at home. Don't wear yellow when you swim in the ocean. We hear all sorts of advice designed to keep sharks at bay. But is it legit?

By Josh Clark

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Perhaps you prefer a nice filet mignon with a red wine reduction, but according to one source, dogs are a shark's favorite meal. Where do they find pups in the deep?

By Josh Clark

The biggest shark in the world is longer than a school bus. But taking people to sea to swim with these giants has become a big industry.

By Charles W. Bryant

You've heard the stat. You're more likely to be struck by lightning than be attacked by a shark. Still, wouldn't it be nice to know that your next aquatic destination doesn't fall on this list?

By Molly Edmonds & Patrick J. Kiger

Even the most maniacally energetic people can appreciate crashing on the couch occasionally. Can sharks take the same break without dying?

By Molly Edmonds

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Sharks have a bad reputation, but is it warranted? Maybe for these 10, which are considered the most dangerous of all.

By Molly Edmonds & Patrick J. Kiger

Hammerheads have itty-bitty mouths, a tall dorsal fin and an impressively odd noggin. Why do these creatures of the deep look so strange?

By Charles W. Bryant

The good news is, you're not likely to meet with one of these creatures on your next beach vacation. If you did, it wouldn't be a pretty sight.

By Cristen Conger

They range in size from 8 inches to 60 feet, so obviously their food preferences will differ. Sometimes what seems like a good meal, isn't, so they spit it out. That includes humans.

By Cristen Conger

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Ever wonder -- as you're treading water in the ocean -- how a shark might hunt you down? They have a special sense that helps them locate prey.

By Cristen Conger

The lure of a free meal is enough to get most of us moving and maybe even throwing an elbow or two as we battle for the last slice of pizza. Compared to sharks though, our feeding frenzies are tame.

By Molly Edmonds