All articles tagged with #basking sharks
Two basking sharks, measuring around 20 to 25 feet in length, were spotted off the Ventura coast, a rare and exciting sighting for onlookers. These gentle giants, known for filter-feeding on plankton, have seen a decline in numbers since the mid-1900s due to fishing. The recent sightings come after a drop in their population, prompting conservation efforts to protect the species.
Scientists have discovered that basking sharks, typically considered cold-blooded, exhibit elevated body temperatures while swimming, challenging our understanding of fish physiology. Previously, warm-bloodedness was thought to be limited to apex predators, but this study shows that it can also occur in large, passive-feeders like basking sharks. The sharks' ability to maintain higher blood pressure and blood flow, facilitated by compact muscle around their hearts, may allow them to migrate and feed more efficiently in colder waters. The reasons behind their warm-bloodedness and its advantages are still unclear, highlighting the need for further research on shark species for effective conservation strategies.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have discovered that basking sharks, typically known as filter-feeders, are warm-bodied like great white sharks and other fast-swimming predators. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the advantages of regional endothermy and raises questions about the metabolism and potential distribution shifts of basking sharks in response to ocean warming. The study highlights the need for further research to aid in effective conservation strategies for these endangered species.