How do Sharks Breathe?

5. Buccal Pumping

Sharks are often referred to as living fossils because current species were found far back in the fossil record. Despite the long lineage of modern-day shark species, ancient species existed before them. The oldest sharks used buccal pumping to breathe when they were not moving. Buccal pumping uses the buccal, or cheek, muscles to pull water into the mouth and over the gills. Bony fish and some modern-day shark species, such as nurse sharks, angel sharks, and carpet sharks, still use buccal breathing.