Shark skin is covered by tiny flat V-shaped scales, called dermal denticles, that are more like teeth than fish scales. ... These denticles decrease drag and turbulence, allowing the shark to swim faster and more quietly.

What is the function of a sharks dermal denticles?

Dermal denticles are unique tooth-like structures embedded in the skin of sharks and rays that protect them from predators and ectoparasites, reduce mechanical abrasion and possibly minimize swim- ming-induced drag.

What are dermal denticles and what purpose do they serve?

What Dermal Denticles Do. The main function of these denticles is for protection against predators, kind of like a naturally occurring chainmail armor, although in some sharks they have a hydrodynamic function. The denticles reduce turbulence and drag which allows the shark to swim faster and covertly.