Happy summer, readers! What are some of your favorite summertime traditions? I love having time to read, being able to go out in the sun (to read!), and taking trips with the family (whether it’s to Florida or a local attraction, like the Cleveland Zoo or Akron Zoo). But probably my most favorite thing about summer is Discovery Channel’s Shark Week!

Fun fact: long before I wanted to be a teacher, I wanted to be a marine biologist. I just love the ocean. I love being at the ocean, and I love all the things that live in the ocean. Yes, even sharks! Will I ever be brave enough to come face-to-face with a shark? Probably not, but I love seeing them on my TV screen every summer.

Shark Week

I don’t just watch Shark Week. I binge-watch Shark Week. And I don’t just obsess over Shark Week when it’s on. I scour the Internet to find out the Shark Week air dates, what shows I’ll see on Shark Week, and how I might enhance my Shark Week experience. Have you seen those shark attack drink recipes, like the Food Network Shark Attack Punch recipe? I don’t drink alcohol, but I might just have to find a virgin recipe for these awesome drinks!

Shark Week 2018 premieres next month on Discovery Channel. This will be the 30th anniversary of Shark Week. I’m so excited! If you’re a Shark Week-aholic like me (or just a fan of sharks in general), this post is for you. Keep reading for shark fun facts and a free shark printable!

Shark Fun Facts

I’ve learned lots of shark fun facts from Shark Week over the years. Check out these 10 shark fun facts to tide you over until Shark Week 2018 premieres on Discovery Channel next month!

1. Tiger sharks are nicknamed the “garbage cans” of the sea. Why? Researchers have discovered odd objects (such tires, gasoline tanks, and license plates) inside of Tiger sharks’ stomachs.
2. Hammerhead sharks’ oddly shaped heads aren’t just for show! Their heads (called cephalofoils) are equipped with electrical sensors, which make Hammerheads superior hunters.
3. Some species of sharks can swim in both freshwater and saltwater. One such species is the Bull shark. Bull sharks are often found in the Mississippi River.
4. Fear of sharks increased when the movie Jaws was released.
5. For every human killed by a shark, humans kill two million sharks. Bee stings and lightning strikes kill more humans than shark attacks.
6. The Mako shark is the fastest shark, clocking in speeds up to 60 mph.
7. Sharks are known for their teeth, but did you know that they also lose a lot of their teeth? Some sharks use up to 30,000 teeth in their lifetime!
8. Great White sharks are the largest predatory fish (growing from 11-21 feet long). However, they are not the largest shark. The Whale shark is the largest shark, growing 18-33 feet long.
9. Sharks do not have a single bone in their body. Their bodies are made of cartilage.
10. People in Fiji and the Solomon Islands believe that sharks are possessed by spirits of dead ancestors.

Have any shark fun facts you want to share? Drop me a comment!

Shark Printable

Guess what? I learned how to make word cloud art! I put together this shark word cloud art for you shark lovers out there. Click the link below the photo for your free shark printable!

Shark Printable

Need More Sharks in Your Life? Check Out These Shark Toys!

Check out my review post about Wild Republic’s stuffed shark line and Alex Brands DIY Knot-a-Shark blanket for more shark related fun!

Post written by Molly Maurer