Read the passage and answer the questions below.
The shark is a meat-eating fish and one of the most feared animals of the sea. Scientists identified about 250 species of fish as sharks. These fish live in oceans throughout the world, but they are most common in warm seas.
Sharks vary greatly in size and habits. Whale sharks, the largest kind of shark, may grow 60 feet long. A whale shark weighs up to 15 tons, more than twice as much as an African elephant. The smallest shark may measure only 4 inches long and weigh less than 1 ounce. Some kinds of sharks live in the depth of the oceans, but others are found near the surface. Some species live in coastal waters, but others dwell far out at sea. A few species can even live in fresh water.
All sharks are carnivores ( meat-eaters). Most of them eat live fish, including other sharks. A shark’s only natural enemy is a larger shark. Sharks eat their prey whole, or tear off large chunks of flesh. They also feed on dead or dying animals.
How many species of sharks are there?