By Courtney Cooper
Understanding Shark Behaviour
Many people mistakenly believe that sharks are mindless murderers, which has contributed to the lengthy history of misinformation. Even though sharks can’t create any sounds that humans can hear, studies have shown that they are very communicative creatures. Sharks communicate and display dominance using non-vocal means as they lack an organ to generate sound.
When communicating with one another, sharks rely on a mix of posture and body language. They often show aggression or submission by arching their bodies or raising and lowering their pectoral fins. In this article, we take a look at shark behaviour, how they use body language and their social structure.
We also discuss further shark facts that you might be interested in! Apex Predators provides the best great white shark cage diving in Cape Town.
Understanding Shark Body Language
Territorial Body Language: Establishing Dominance
Sharks don’t use vocalisations to communicate; instead, they communicate using dominant behaviours and territorial body language. Each shark has its own unique signal that it uses to communicate with others and to mark its position in the water column. There is a clear hierarchy among sharks, with the dominant individuals being found at the surface and the subservient ones farther down. The likelihood of one shark becoming more dominant than another depends on factors like size, sex, and age. These actions help them stay true to their identities and secure their place among the top sharks.
Collaboration in Groups
Contrary to popular belief, sharks do not live in isolation. They frequently exhibit intricate social dynamics and collective behaviours. For instance, sand tiger sharks exhibit fission-fusion behaviour, as shown by social network analysis; individuals assemble and disband temporary groups depending on a variety of conditions. Group dynamics like this show how crucial it is for sharks to work together and share information in order to increase their chances of survival.
Swimming Patterns Has Meaning
Parallel Swimming involves two sharks swimming side by side, sizing each other up, with the larger one typically establishing dominance. In the Following pattern, sharks trail each other, conveying interest or assessing a situation. Piggybacking occurs when one shark rides on another’s back, potentially indicating a social bond or cooperative behaviour. These swimming patterns are crucial for interaction and communication among sharks.
Vibrations and Electroreception
Sharks have a unique sensory system called the Ampullae of Lorenzini, which allows them to perceive electrical fields and vibrations in the water. These electroreceptors can help them locate prey, navigate, and detect changes in their surroundings. There is further evidence pointing to the potential importance of electroreception in shark communication, notably during agonistic displays.
Specific Behaviours for Challenges and Warnings
When threatened, sharks engage in distinct behaviours that challenge and warn intruders.
- One example is the dropping of the pectoral fin, in which a shark lowers the fin behind its head and swims in figure-eight loops, signalling the danger to back off.
- Another behaviour is arching theback to appear larger and more aggressive, which is frequently followed by an assault if the threat continues.
- Tail slappingdisplays strength and seriousness and is generally used during food fights or to communicate via surface sounds.
- Sharks also engage in mouth gaping, which involves opening and closing their mouths to threaten or indicate annoyance, as seen in great white sharks.
We also share insight into the fascinating world of extinct sharks.
