Shark

Hexanchiformes

Shark senses

Sharks have two senses that many animals do not have:

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• Electroreception: The Ampullae of Lorenzini are small pits in the head that detect electricity. The shark has the greatest electricity sensitivity known in all animals. This sense is used to find prey hidden in sand in bottom feeding sharks, by detecting the nerve impulses. It is this sense that sometimes confuses a shark into attacking a boat, when the metal interacts with the salt water. They can track these things from the top around a mile away, and it not only senses prey, it can sense other things as well! It is almost like having a small camera in the shark's eye, but not really. It can sense that if there is a prey, or if it is a predator, or if it is just a spectator watching it.
• Lateral line - This system is found in most fishes, including sharks. It is used to detect motion or 'sound' in the water. The shark uses this to detect other organisms moving, especially wounded fish. The shark can 'hear' frequencies in the range of 25 to 50 Hz using this sense.