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Sharks are predatory fish that live world-wide, mostly in saltwater. They appear very minimally in the DreamWorks Dragons Franchise.
Description
Sharks encompass a wide variety of cartilaginous fish. Many are top predators of the seas, but can occupy a variety of niches. They are most widely noted for their classic dorsal fin, many rows of sheddable teeth, and moveable upper jaw (it is not attached to its cranium).
A few notable species that occur in Scandinavian waters that Vikings may have come across include:
- Greenland Shark - A large shark than can live for over 200 years.
- Common Thresher Shark - Known for its very long tail.
- Basking Shark - The second largest fish alive that feeds on Plankton.
- Porbeagle - Lives into the Arctic Ocean and prized for its meat.
Despite mentions in the Franchise, Hammerhead Sharks are found in more temperate waters, and are not found in the North Atlantic, Arctic Ocean, or North Sea, which is where Vikings would typically encounter them.
Function
In the How to Train Your Dragon Franchise, sharks are only an accessory, mainly seen as furniture, especially as a sleeping pallet. They are also seen as adversarial and predatory, such as those seen in the Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon. Since the Hairy Hooligan Tribe ate fish as a significant part of their diet and culture, it can be assumed that shark was on the menu, occasionally, too.
In actuality, a signature Icelandic dish is made from fermented Greenland Shark. Its flesh, without proper preparation, is actually toxic. In order to circumvent this toxicity and also have a preserved food, Greenland Shark was cleaned and buried whole in sand and gravel for about 2-4 months, then removed and hung to dry in the cold open air for a few more months. The dish is called Hakarl, and it or a variation of it may very well have been eaten by Vikings.
Appearances
Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon
In the Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon, Gobber's story of his relationship and encounters through his life with the Boneknapper involved an incident with Hammerhead Sharks. They were attempting to eat him as he tried to get to another island to escape the Boneknapper.
Dragons: Riders of Berk
In "Heather Report, Part 1", Hiccup was seen sleeping on a shark for a mattress, because he let Heather sleep in his bed.
Dragons: Defenders of Berk
In "Worst in Show", a shark's fin is seen arriving out of the water and following Alvin, Savage, Mildew and Fungus as they drifted on pieces of their destroyed ship.
In "Cast Out, Part 1", Tuffnut and Ruffnut took over Snotlout's and Hookfang's stall at the Academy, when Snotlout was suspended. Tuffnut had a shark carcass (flattened and stuffed much like a bear pel rug) for decoration and was later seen playing and dancing with it when he heard that Snotlout was still suspended.
Dragons: Race to the Edge, Season 2
In "Snotlout Gets the Axe", Ruffnut was putting her belongings in Fishlegs' hut when they thought they were married, which included a shark carcass.
Season 5
Fishlegs mentions sharks while describing his plan to Snotlout.
| “ | But if I let them know in that moment that I wasn't Thor, they'd have taken off with the bounty and made you and Alvin shark feed. [src] | ” |
| — Fishlegs |
Games
Dragons: Rise of Berk
The shark appears in this game via a body part - the tooth. A shark's tooth is an item found by Toothless on certain location searches, and is used to complete Collections.
In July 2017, the "Berk Brawlers" Gauntlet limited-time activity was introduced. In this event, a map of sorts it displayed marking player progression. An image on this map includes two sharks.
School of Dragons
During the Battle for the Edge expansion pack, Astrid mentions sharks while describing animal behavior.
| “ | Cooperative pack behavior is how some animals and mammals survive. Musk Oxen and elephants will circle around their young to form a defensive barrier. Dolphins will travel in shoals to defend the group from shark attacks. If a shark gets too close, two dolphins will split off from the others and attract the shark away from the group. | ” |
| — Astrid |
Dragons: Titan Uprising
Sharks are mentioned as a descriptor for a Snow Wraith named the Furtive Fleetsleet.
| “ | Few Vikings, trainers, or even trappers have even seen this elusive creature. Like a shark in the sky that must keep constantly moving, Fleetsleet flies high, high above the clouds, only coming down to eat. | ” |
| — Dragons: Titan Uprising |
Other Mentions
Toothless
The development of Toothless (and by extension, Night Furies) has involved inspiration from many animal species. According to Dreamworks' Youtube Video Series, "The DreamWorks Download", "Toothless' skin texture was inspired by a combination of bat skin, shark skin, and reptile skin."
Trivia
- Sharks are also mentioned in the How to Train Your Dragon Books, in How to Ride a Dragon's Storm, Gobber told the Vikings participating in the Intertribal Friendly Swimming race that their hunting dragons were going to fly above them while they swim to protect them from sea creatures, including sharks.
Gallery
References
Shark on Wikipedia
- 100 HTTYD Facts Only True Fans Know DreamworksTV, (Published on Aug 27, 2015). YouTube.
