How many teeth does a shark typically have?

Sharks are known for their impressive dental structures, often having multiple rows of teeth that can number in the thousands throughout their lifetime. The selection of 3000 teeth reflects the general range of teeth that many shark species can possess at various times. Sharks continuously shed and replace their teeth, which allows them to maintain sharp, functional teeth for hunting and feeding.

The typical number cited often encompasses all the teeth in various rows, as many sharks have anywhere from 20 to 30 teeth in their mouth at any given time, but they can cycle through upwards of 3000 teeth over their lifetime as old teeth are lost and new ones grow in. This adaptation ensures that sharks can effectively capture and consume prey, maintaining their role as apex predators in their environments. The other options do not align with the typical understanding of shark dentition, as they either underestimate or overestimate the average number of teeth a shark might have at one time or over a lifetime.