Scientists Puzzled by Warm-Blooded Filter-Feeding Shark
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.