Basking Sharks Can Be Identified Individually By Unique Skin Patterns

Even a ten-meter shark carries a fingerprint-like identity.

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Photo-identification techniques are widely used in studying large marine animals such as whales and sharks.

Researchers use distinctive scars, pigmentation patterns, and fin shapes to identify individual basking sharks in photographic studies. These markers enable long-term monitoring without physical tagging.

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On a body larger than a small bus, subtle variations in skin texture and scarring act like natural barcodes. This allows scientists to track site fidelity, migration timing, and reappearances across years.

Non-invasive identification methods are especially valuable for threatened giants. Monitoring individuals without capture reduces stress while improving conservation data quality.

Source

Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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