Reading Passage​

​​​​​Sharks have lived in our oceans for over 400 million years, making them some

of the oldest and most remarkable creatures on Earth. Long before dinosaurs appeared, sharks were already swimming in the seas, and during this time they have developed abilities that seem almost like superpowers. These special skills allow them to hunt, survive, and adapt in ways that humans could never match.

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One of the most impressive shark abilities is their incredible sense of smell. A shark can detect a single drop of blood in water from hundreds of metres away. This sharp sense is vital in the vast and sometimes dark oceans, where sight is not always reliable. While humans depend heavily on vision, sharks have no difficulty tracking down food in places where people would be completely lost.

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Sharks also have a unique extra sense called the ampullae of Lorenzini. These are tiny pores on their heads that can pick up the weak electrical signals produced by all living animals. Every heartbeat, every small movement of a muscle, gives off electricity. Sharks are highly sensitive to this and can notice it even if the prey is buried under sand or hiding in the shadows.

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Their hearing is another powerful tool. Sharks can recognise low-frequency sounds, which are often vibrations made by injured or struggling fish. These sounds travel far through water, and sharks can notice them from several kilometres away. To a shark, the faint movement of a fish in trouble is like an alarm bell. Humans, however, would need special technology to hear such signals underwater.

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Vision is another area where sharks show incredible adaptation. Many species can see clearly in low light, allowing them to hunt successfully at night or in the deep ocean. Some sharks even have a reflective layer behind their eyes, which improves their night vision. This makes them far more effective hunters than humans in the same environment.

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Even their skin hides a special advantage. Shark skin is covered in tiny, tooth-like scales called dermal denticles. These help them move through the water quickly and quietly, making their swimming smooth and efficient. Designers have even copied this idea to make faster swimsuits and better boats, showing how shark abilities can inspire human technology.

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Sharks also have extraordinary healing powers. Injuries that would take weeks for humans to recover from can close very quickly in sharks. Their natural defences protect them from infection, and scientists are studying their bodies to find new ways to treat human illnesses. In the future, what we learn from sharks could even help doctors improve recovery for people.

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All of these abilities show why sharks are such fascinating creatures. They are not simply predators to be feared but survivors with skills that we can learn from. By understanding their superpowers, we also understand why protecting them is so important for the health of our oceans and our planet.