//Shark Love//
Marine scientists research an amazing part of our wide world. The depths of the ocean and the creatures that dwell in it carry many mysteries and scientists are constantly discovering new revelations that give birth to new directions in other scientific fields. Beyond human immortality and jellyfish, recent news around the bigger fish in the sea have been detailed. Sharks are often portrayed as colossal predators that patrol for unsuspecting surfers and beach goers. This is not the case in reality and sharks come in many different shapes and sizes around the world. I have had the pleasure of seeing sharks a few times in the distance while on the waters and recent studies around the great white and whale sharks have been an interesting exploration of these ocean dwelling creatures.
//A Menu for Jaws//
Contrary to the usual portrayal of the great white shark in movies such as Jaws, researchers discovered that the diet of great whites consisted of dominantly fish that dwell at the bottom of the seabed along with some fish that are typically seen at mid ocean levels. Great whites spend much of their time at the depths of sea and their food sources aren’t limited to just fish either. Rays and eels were also found to be part of the great white menu though lower in domination, most likely due to their ability to out manoeuvre sharks. Marine research is an exciting part of science and there is much to be discovered at the depths, taking a look at the creatures that are accessible to us gives further clues around general behaviour and possibly further mysteries to be solved as observations continue.
//Armoured Whale Sharks//
Continuing on with close observations, whale sharks have also been the focus of research around Japanese waters. Whale sharks are the largest fish in the ocean and their food sources come from a number of suitable candidates. The colossal fish tends to do enjoy plankton and smaller fish and humans shouldn’t feel too alarmed in the presence of one, though it would certainly be hard for me to maintain composure. Whale sharks were discovered to possess dermal denticles around their eyes. It doesn’t mean that these fish can devour their prey with a stare of death, it’s a feature of their inherent defence mechanism. Eyes of a whale shark are important and it would seem that these miniscule denticles provide a layer of armour to protect their vulnerable areas around the eye. Sharks are an amazing animal and it’s fascinating that even in this day and age, there is much to be discovered about what lies beneath the ocean.
Sources
https://www.myvetcandy.com/newsblog/2020/7/1/great-white-shark-diet-surprises-scientists
https://phys.org/news/2020-07-whale-sharks-tiny-teeth-eyes.html