Shark skin does not consist of scales similar to most fish. Instead, shark skin contains many tooth-like structures called dermal denticles which are as hard as steel. These dermal denticles vary in size, shape, and even the direction in which they point based on the species of shark as well as the area on the shark’s body. A shark’s skin provides it drag-reducing properties – good for the conservation of energy, speed, and silent hunting abilities. Learn more about shark skin.