Megamouth Sharks Possess Large Oil-Rich Livers for Buoyancy Control

A massive internal oil tank keeps this shark suspended in darkness.

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Shark livers can account for up to 25 percent of total body weight in some species.

Like many deep-sea sharks, the megamouth has a large liver rich in low-density oils that help maintain buoyancy. This adaptation allows it to hover in the water column without constant energy expenditure.

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Instead of relying solely on motion to avoid sinking, a megamouth uses internal chemical buoyancy. Its liver functions almost like a biological flotation device inside a multi-ton body.

This internal engineering reduces metabolic demands and supports a lifestyle centered on slow filtration, demonstrating how physiology can replace speed in maintaining dominance at giant scales.

Source

Florida Museum of Natural History

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