Low Swimming Speeds Suggest Energy Conservation in Deep Waters

A five-meter shark often moves slower than a casual jog.

Top Ad Slot
🤯 Did You Know (click to read)

Filter-feeding sharks typically swim with their mouths open for extended periods while foraging.

Observations and morphology indicate that megamouth sharks swim slowly, conserving energy while filter feeding. Unlike fast pursuit predators, their broad heads and soft bodies are optimized for steady cruising rather than bursts of speed.

Mid-Content Ad Slot
💥 Impact (click to read)

A creature weighing over a ton surviving at low speeds defies expectations of shark agility. Instead of explosive hunting, its strategy depends on patience and plankton density.

This energy-efficient design aligns with deep-sea ecological economics, where food availability can fluctuate and conserving calories may determine survival across decades-long lifespans.

Source

Smithsonian Ocean Portal

LinkedIn Reddit

⚡ Ready for another mind-blower?

‹ Previous Next ›

💬 Comments