Sharks and DolphinsSharks and Dolphins

Third GradeThird Grade

October 19, 2006October 19, 2006

SharksSharks

• Scientists like to Scientists like to learn about learn about sharks and sharks and understand why understand why they act the way they act the way that they do.that they do.

Are they scary?Are they scary?

• People have always been afraid of People have always been afraid of sharks.sharks.

• Sharks would rather eat seals or fish Sharks would rather eat seals or fish than people.than people.

• Sharks sometimes think that people Sharks sometimes think that people are other sea animals. Sometimes are other sea animals. Sometimes our legs and feet may look like fish to our legs and feet may look like fish to a hungry shark!a hungry shark!

Do we hurt sharks?Do we hurt sharks?

• Some people enjoy eating shark meat.Some people enjoy eating shark meat.

• Humans kill 100 million sharks each year.Humans kill 100 million sharks each year.

• Some people like to buy things made Some people like to buy things made from shark skin.from shark skin.

• Sharks often get caught in fishing nets Sharks often get caught in fishing nets and die.and die.

What will happen to the What will happen to the sharks?sharks?• Some types of Some types of

sharks are sharks are endangered.endangered.

• Endangered means Endangered means that the sharks are that the sharks are in danger of in danger of becoming extinct. becoming extinct.

• If we are not careful, If we are not careful, these sharks will all these sharks will all die.die.

When did sharks come When did sharks come about?about?

• Sharks are over 400 Sharks are over 400 million years old. million years old.

• These large fish These large fish were swimming in were swimming in the oceans before the oceans before the dinosaurs the dinosaurs roamed the earth.roamed the earth.

How do sharks help us?How do sharks help us?

• Sharks have an important part in the Sharks have an important part in the food chain.food chain.

• They eat many sea animals and fish to They eat many sea animals and fish to keep the oceans in balance.keep the oceans in balance.

• Their only predator is the killer whale. Their only predator is the killer whale. If they die, the killer whale will starve!If they die, the killer whale will starve!

• If sharks were to die out, we would be If sharks were to die out, we would be in trouble.in trouble.

What are we doing today?What are we doing today?

• Many people in Many people in America are trying America are trying to limit shark to limit shark hunting.hunting.

• Scientists have Scientists have learned that sharks learned that sharks are here for a are here for a reason. They don’t reason. They don’t want to hurt people.want to hurt people.

DolphinsDolphins

• Dolphins are not fish, Dolphins are not fish, they are mammals.they are mammals.

• Some dolphins are Some dolphins are really small, and really small, and others are very large!others are very large!

• The biggest dolphin The biggest dolphin is also known as the is also known as the Killer Whale. Killer Whale.

How big or small are they?How big or small are they?

• Killer whales are Killer whales are the largest the largest dolphins and can dolphins and can be 30 feet long.be 30 feet long.

• Heaviside dolphins Heaviside dolphins are the smallest, are the smallest, and are usually 4 and are usually 4 feet long.feet long.

What do dolphins eat?What do dolphins eat?

• It depends on the dolphin! It depends on the dolphin!

• Killer whales eat sharks, seals, sea Killer whales eat sharks, seals, sea turtles, and other dolphins.turtles, and other dolphins.

• Smaller dolphins like to eat fish and Smaller dolphins like to eat fish and squid. They eat about 20 pounds of squid. They eat about 20 pounds of food each day!food each day!

Do scientists study Do scientists study dolphins?dolphins?• Yes! Scientists are Yes! Scientists are

learning about how learning about how dolphins dolphins communicate. communicate. Dolphins make Dolphins make interesting noises interesting noises when they are when they are underwater.underwater.

How do dolphins help us?How do dolphins help us?

• Dolphins have been known to save Dolphins have been known to save people.people.

• Dolphins often help each other when Dolphins often help each other when they are injured or in danger. they are injured or in danger. Scientists think that may be the Scientists think that may be the reason that they help us too!reason that they help us too!

• As we know, dolphins haven’t killed As we know, dolphins haven’t killed any humans.any humans.

Are dolphins in danger?Are dolphins in danger?

• Yes they are in danger. There are Yes they are in danger. There are many reasons why.many reasons why.

• Some people enjoy eating dolphin Some people enjoy eating dolphin meat.meat.

• People pollute the water that dolphins People pollute the water that dolphins swim in.swim in.

• Dolphins often get caught in fishing Dolphins often get caught in fishing nets.nets.

How can we help the How can we help the dolphins?dolphins?• America has laws that America has laws that

are protecting more are protecting more dolphins.dolphins.

• Scientists must get Scientists must get permission to study permission to study dolphins in the ocean.dolphins in the ocean.

• We can read and learn We can read and learn about dolphins and try about dolphins and try to keep them safe in to keep them safe in their natural habitat.their natural habitat.