Science Facts

400 million years ago, in the Devonian period, cartilaginous fishes such as primitive sharks became more numerous. The first tree dates to about 385 million years ago, and the Dinosaur Age started 252 million years ago, making sharks older than trees and dinosaurs. One galactic year (the duration of time required for the Sun to orbit once around the center of the Milky Way Galaxy) is approximately 225 million Earth years, meaning that sharks have been around for two complete galactic years. Bonus fact: Sharks and rays rely on electrolocation to detect the electromagnetic field of living things nearby. The shark has the greatest electrical sensitivity of any animal. Sharks can find prey hidden in sand by detecting the electric fields.