The difference between whales and sharks

Whales and sharks are both marine mammals. Whales look more cute, but sharks are more like behemoths. So although whales and sharks are both deep-sea species, they are different in appearance, function and value. When people distinguish whales and sharks, in addition to distinguishing them by appearance, they also need to distinguish their internal structure.

Whale is the name of the Cetacean species among marine mammals, which is divided into toothed whales and baleen whales. The Cetacean order includes the Delphinidae family.

Whales live in the ocean. There is a very thick layer of fat under the whale's skin, namely whale oil, which can keep the whale's body warm and also store energy for emergency needs. Because whales have many special structures in their bodies, they can hold their breath and slow down their heartbeats for a long time in the water. Therefore, when they sink to the bottom of the sea, it always takes a long time before they surface again. In addition to having a structure that stores oxygen, the body also has a special function that centralizes the supply when a certain part of the body needs a large amount of blood supply.

Sharks, which live in the ocean, are the most ferocious fish in the ocean.

Sharks have existed on Earth 300 million years before the appearance of dinosaurs, which means they have existed for more than 500 million years. They have hardly changed in the past 100 million years. Sharks, called mermaids, sharks, and sand fish in ancient times, are huge monsters in the ocean, so they are known as "wolves of the sea." There are also whale sharks and great white sharks. Currently, most people believe that shark cartilage (i.e. shark fins) is high in protein, but this is wrong. The protein content of eggs far exceeds that of shark fins. Due to human’s wrong ideas, sharks have been hunted in large numbers over the past few decades. Experts analyze that if this continues, sharks will become extinct. Please protect sharks. It is okay to eat shark fins, but it is also harmful to the human body because shark fins contain a certain amount of neurotoxins.

Effects

Shark meat is mild in nature, sweet and salty in taste. It has the effects of invigorating qi and nourishing yin, replenishing deficiency and strengthening the waist, promoting water circulation and resolving phlegm. It can be used to treat diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and lupus erythematosus. In addition, shark liver is the main source of cod liver oil, which can enhance physical fitness, promote development, improve brain function, help absorb calcium and phosphorus, enhance resistance to infectious diseases, and be used to supplement vitamin A, vitamin D and DHA for infants and children during their growth period; it can also prevent dry eyes, night blindness and rickets.

Main categories

There are many types of sharks, and there are at least 344 identifiable species of sharks in the world's oceans.

According to the 1971 Lass classification system,

Hexanchiformes: An order of cartilaginous fishes. There are only one family, three genera and about four species of sixgill sharks. There are 3 genera and 3 species in China. The structure is original. There are 6 to 7 gill openings. The eyes have no nictitating membrane or fold. There are water spray holes. There is one dorsal fin, without spines, posteriorly located, and with anal fin; the axial bone of the pectoral fin extends to the front edge of the fin, and the forefin cartilage has no radial fin rays. The vertebrae are not completely segmented, but the vertebral bodies are more or less calcified and the spinal cord is partially or not constricted. Kiss cartilage 1.

Lamniformes:

The order Scolarii, also known as the order Mackerel, is the largest order in the order Pleurostomata. Includes most modern species. There are 5 pairs of gill openings. There are two dorsal fins, no spines, and anal fin. The eyes have no nictitating membrane or fold. The vertebral body has radial calcification areas, and the 4 non-calcified areas have no calcified spokes invading. Maxillo-lingual type, the upper jaw is connected to the skull only by ligaments. It is considered to be more harmful to humans than other sharks, and is also known as the man-eating shark and the white death shark. Distributed in tropical and temperate zones of all oceans, it generally lives in open ocean areas but often enters inland waters. They are notorious for their sometimes unprovoked fatal attacks on swimmers, divers, surfers, and even small boats. It has a large appetite, and its food includes fish, turtles, seabirds, sea lions, and discarded debris from ships.