Underneath the glistening surface of the world’s oceans lies a complex network of marine life. Each species plays a crucial role in maintaining the delicate ecosystems that make up our planet. However, this balance is under threat as biodiversity faces a crisis of extinction. Over the past fifty years, animal diversity has plummeted by an …
In the vast expanse of our ocean realm, where dominance is often determined by speed and skill, a special group of fast-swimming predators has risen to the top. These apex predators, known as ‘regional endotherms,’ possess unique characteristics that support their fast and predatory lifestyle. These features include elevated body temperatures, centralized red muscles, and …
The University of Haifa researchers have been awarded a significant $100,000 grant from National Geographic Wayfinder for an innovative study tracking shark movement in the eastern Mediterranean Sea (EMS). The EMS is known for its diverse marine life, including fish, invertebrates, corals, marine mammals, and seabirds. Despite facing climate change challenges, sharks thrive in this …
Shark Week has arrived, bringing with it a range of captivating shows to watch. One show in particular, “Cocaine Sharks,” has piqued the interest of many viewers. This show explores the fascinating concept of how sharks may interact with cocaine that ends up in the ocean through illegal transportation. The experiments conducted during the filming …
With the highly anticipated release of “Meg 2: The Trench” in early August, there is a significant buzz surrounding the ancient shark that co-stars with Jason Statham in the film. This creature is considered one of the largest and most powerful predators to have ever existed on Earth, and it continues to captivate people even …
A groundbreaking study published in Science has unveiled the dire consequences of overfishing on shark populations, particularly reef sharks. The research, conducted by the Global FinPrint project and led by Florida International University, analyzed an impressive 22,000 hours of underwater video footage from monitoring stations across 391 reefs in 67 countries and territories. The findings …
In the realm of ancient ocean predators, the Megalodon stands as an enigmatic and awe-inspiring creature. Extinct for millions of years, this massive shark continues to captivate scientists who strive to uncover its secrets. Thanks to a recent study conducted by paleobiologist Kenshu Shimada from DePaul University, we now have fascinating insights into the physiology …
Pregnant grey nurse sharks (Carcharias taurus), a species that appears fierce but has a gentle personality, are venturing outside of no-take marine protected areas at night. This puts them in danger of extinction as there are only around 400 breeding individuals remaining in the wild. The findings come from a decade-long study that tracked 34 …
In spite of their size, whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are filter feeders, feeding on plankton, small fish, and other microscopic organisms. To capture their prey, they typically swim slowly near the water’s surface, opening their massive mouths up to filter large volumes of water. In its throat, specialized structures called gill rakers filter out food …
To attract visitors to aquariums, sharks are often considered the main attraction, even though they are not the best candidates for long-term captivity. Typically, sharks kept in aquariums are caught from the wild, and larger species cannot be kept for long periods due to their size and pelagic lifestyles. Despite this, little is known about …