This year, from July 20 to July 26 is Shark Week. When you think of sharks, you probably think of humongous Great Whites and their intimidating teeth, like the shark in the movie Jaws, which turned 50 years old this year.
Many people are familiar with Shark Week because of the Discovery Channel, who broadcasts high-octane shark content all week long. Sharks are intimidating sea creatures, but they are also greatly misunderstood. Sharks are an important part of our ecosystem, and many species need to be protected through conservation efforts.
Sharks have been on Earth for more than 450 millions years. Some of the oldest known shark fossils were toothless. The oldest shark-like teeth that have been found date back to about 410 million years ago.
Today there are more than 1000 species of sharks and rays, who are closely related to sharks. Due to overfishing and threats to their habitats, many shark and ray populations are in decline.
If you’re looking to learn more about sharks, YPL is the place to go! You can always browse our online catalog or ask a librarian for some reading recommendations. You can also download ebooks and audiobooks immediately on Hoopla. You can also browse Gale in Context for elementary school and middle school students for articles chock full of fun facts.
If you prefer learning about the environment on dry land, museum passes are here for you! Check out our museum passes to the Greenburgh Nature Center or the Hudson River Museum and learn about animals and ecosystems close to home!
You can join us at the Crestwood Library for some shark-themed fun! Pick up a Grab-and-Go activity packet all week long, and join us for Film Fridays to watch the animated movie Shark Tale at 2:00 PM on Friday, July 25.
Alison Robles, a Yonkers native, received an MS in Information and Library Science from the University at Buffalo. She works at the Crestwood Library and is an avid reader with a passion for YA lit, historical fiction, and fantasy.