Wildlife
The cartilaginous fish are so named because their skeleton is composed of cartilage which is not reinforced by the minerals that make bone. These minerals are only present in their teeth and skin. The class includes the sharks, sawfish, rays and chimaeras. The majority of them are marine, though a few do venture into brackish and freshwater.
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Fish types
Specialised SCUBA allows underwater demonstration of fish differences.
This sequence from the early 1980s shows one of the early instances of underwater presenting. It became possible as a result of the developments in full face plates which allowed Sir David not only to be able to deliver his commentary but to be recorded clearly during a dive.
Shark fossils
Today's sharks are streamlined versions of successful prehistoric predecessors.
Today's sharks are streamlined versions of successful prehistoric predecessors.
Diving with Sharks
Steve dives in to a tank full of UK marine life and comes face to face with a shark!
Whilst at Macduff Marine Aquarium, Steve dives in to a tank full of UK marine life and comes face to face with a shark!
Fish development
Jaws were a significant development in the evolution of fish.
Jaws were a significant development in the evolution of fish.
A comparison of cartilaginous fish size in relation to humans - from the 12m long whale shark to the 17cm dwarf lanternshark.
The following habitats are found across the Cartilaginous fish distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Chondrichthyes ( /kɒnˈdrɪkθi.iːz/; from Greek χονδρ- chondr- 'cartilage', ἰχθύς ichthys 'fish') or cartilaginous fishes are jawed fish with paired fins, paired nares, scales, a two-chambered heart, and skeletons made of cartilage rather than bone. The class is divided into two subclasses: Elasmobranchii (sharks, rays and skates) and Holocephali (chimaeras, sometimes called ghost sharks, which are sometimes separated into their own class).
Within the infraphylum Gnathostomata, cartilaginous fishes are distinct from all other jawed vertebrates, the extant members of which all fall into Teleostomi.
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Take a trip through the natural world with our themed collections of video clips from the natural history archive.
Seaside spectacular
When it comes to summer holidays, there's no better place than the seaside and if you know where to look you'll be surprised at the wildlife you can find.
David Attenborough's favourite moments
Watch the most memorable moments from an incredible career watching wildlife, chosen by Sir David from the BBC archive.
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Sea bed
Deep ocean
Shallow seas
Open ocean
Reefs
