Agile, sleek, and precise, sharks
display many qualities we can
admire and appreciate. These
marvels of evolution 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. And not a moment too
soon! Sharks are experiencing
stresses unlike any in their long
history, and are struggling to
survive in a changing ocean. They
will continue to grace our
coastlines only if we care enough
to understand them.