A. Distribution: Elasmobranchs (sharks) inhabit tropical and temperate seas as well as some cold and polar seas. Some sharks even occur in freshwater lakes. B. Habitat: As a group, sharks are adapted for a wide range of aquatic habitats. Various species inhabit shallow coastal habitats, deep water ocean floor habitats and the open ocean. C . Migration: Shark migration is poorly understood due to a lack of information. Not all species migrate but in those that do the distance may vary. Factors that may determine migration are food availability, environmental cycles and reproductive cycles. Females of many species migrate to specific locations to lay eggs or have pups. A prime example of this is the ragged tooth shark at Quarter mile reef at Sodwana bay. Each year in middle summer they arrive to breed and leave again at the end of autumn. |