MYTH

Whale sharks are the largest, reaching up to 40 feet. Great whites typically reach 15-20 feet.

Source: Whale Shark Facts - WWF

FACT

Sharks first appeared around 400 million years ago, while dinosaurs appeared around 230 million years ago.

Source: Ancient Sharks - Natural History Museum

MYTH

Sharks don't sleep in the traditional sense, but they do have periods of rest and reduced activity.

Source: Do Sharks Sleep? - Discovery Channel

MYTH

While reported attacks may increase due to better reporting and more people in the water, actual attack rates remain very low.

Source: Shark Attack Trends - International Shark Attack File

MYTH

Recent studies show that many sharks can see in color, though not as well as humans.

Source: Shark Vision Research - Journal of Experimental Biology