Cartilaginous Fish (Sharks, Rays, and Skates) - Taxonomy Tales

Taxonomy Tales is a new series covering major categories of life on earth--from mollusks to cetaceans to marsupials, we will learn them all! This class discusses the class Chondrichthyes (con-drick-thees), which includes fish with cartilage instead of bones like sharks, skates, and rays.

The class Chondrichthyes contains the following major groups:
1) Sharks
2) Skates
3) Stingrays and manta rays
4) Chimaeras

We will also discuss some specific species like carpet sharks (whale sharks), electric rays, chimaeras, sawfish, and more (subject to change as I edit my classes frequently). 

For each group, we will compare and contrast the characteristics and lives of the animals it includes. Along the way, students will learn new vocabulary and ecological concepts that they can apply to other topics in zoology. 

This class is lecture-style with slides and photos, but highly interactive. Students are given the opportunity to ask and answer questions, ponder scientific ideas, and discuss with their classmates. Students may participate via video, audio, the chat room, or may just sit back and enjoy! 

*If you have a kiddo that absolutely loves sharks, it's possible that some material will be repetitive for them. This course includes a broad overview of sharks and other groups. Chondrichthyes are also briefly covered in one week of Zooloy 101, but this class is a unique experience.

Taxonomy can be a complex study and the way we categorize living things is constantly changing. I follow the most widely accepted taxonomic categorizations and sometimes simplify for the level of these learners. Despite the big words used, there is no pre-requisite knowledge to be successful in this class.