Sharks as a model animal cannot be considered a ‘typical fish.’ They are part of a highly diverse group of marine vertebrates known as the cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes), which evolved independently of bony fishes (Osteichthyes) about 400 million years ago. Sharks range from planktivores to apex predators, are typically large-bodied, exhibit diverse reproductive modes, have long life spans, display ontogenetic shifts in diet and habitat preference and have widespread variation in brain size and complexity. Given the above characteristics, it is not surprising that studies exploring shark cognition are relatively few. However, in recent years substantial progress has been made, with a focus on small-bodied sharks such as bamboo, cat, lemon and horn sharks that can be maintained and monitored successfully in captivity. Importantly, this improvement in our understanding is also paralleled by advances in biotelemetry and bio-logging techniques. In this chapter, we explore the challenges that researchers face when working with sharks, but also highlight the advantages and advocate the importance of sharks as models for better understanding the link between ecology and cognition.