Tuesday, 22 Jul 2025
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA
logo logo
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
  • 🔥
  • Trump
  • House
  • VIDEO
  • ScienceAlert
  • White
  • Watch
  • Trumps
  • man
  • Health
  • Season
Font ResizerAa
American FocusAmerican Focus
Search
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
Follow US
© 2024 americanfocus.online – All Rights Reserved.
American Focus > Blog > Tech and Science > Sharks Do Something Bizarre When Turned Upside Down, And We Don’t Know Why : ScienceAlert
Tech and Science

Sharks Do Something Bizarre When Turned Upside Down, And We Don’t Know Why : ScienceAlert

Last updated: June 24, 2025 8:35 am
Share
Sharks Do Something Bizarre When Turned Upside Down, And We Don’t Know Why : ScienceAlert
SHARE

Sharks are known for their fierce reputation as apex predators of the ocean. However, there is one behavior that might surprise you – tonic immobility, also known as “playing dead.” This phenomenon, where an animal goes limp and enters a trance-like state when turned upside down, has been observed in sharks, rays, and their relatives.

In a recent study, researchers explored the mystery behind this behavior in sharks. While tonic immobility is commonly used as a technique to handle certain shark species safely, the reasons behind why some sharks exhibit this behavior remain unclear.

Three main hypotheses have been proposed to explain tonic immobility in sharks. These include it being an anti-predator strategy, a reproductive role during mating, or a response to sensory overload. However, the study’s findings did not support any of these explanations.

Instead, researchers suggest that tonic immobility in sharks is likely an evolutionary relic. Through evolutionary analysis, they found that this behavior is plesiomorphic, meaning it is an ancestral trait that was present in ancient shark species. As species evolved, many lost the behavior, indicating that it may no longer serve a significant purpose in survival.

Interestingly, the study revealed that tonic immobility was lost independently at least five times across different shark groups. This suggests that in some environments, freezing could be disadvantageous, such as for small reef sharks and bottom-dwelling rays that navigate through tight crevices in coral habitats.

Overall, the findings challenge long-held assumptions about shark behavior and shed light on the hidden evolutionary stories unfolding in the ocean. Tonic immobility in sharks may simply be “evolutionary baggage,” a behavior that persists in some species due to its historical presence rather than its adaptive value.

See also  Uber eyes B2B logistics push in India through state-backed open commerce network

This research serves as a reminder that not every trait in nature is adaptive and that some behaviors are simply remnants of a bygone era. The study provides valuable insights into the complex evolutionary history of sharks and their relatives, offering a new perspective on their behavior and survival strategies.

Authors: Jodie L. Rummer, Professor of Marine Biology, James Cook University and Joel Gayford, PhD Candidate, Department of Marine Biology, James Cook University

This article was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

TAGGED:BizarreDontScienceAlertSharksturnedupside
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article When AI Leads With Logic When AI Leads With Logic
Next Article Gulf expat bubble punctured by missiles Gulf expat bubble punctured by missiles
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular Posts

Brute strikes elderly woman with golf club in NYC subway station

Unprovoked Subway Attack: Woman Struck in Head with Golf Club In a shocking and unprovoked…

January 25, 2025

Julian McMahon’s Death Draws Huge Response From Hollywood

Julian McMahon Celebs Mourn the Loss of a Legend Tributes Pour in From 'Charmed,' 'Nip/Tuck,'…

July 5, 2025

Searches spiking for these stocks today

The biotech sector is abuzz with activity today, with several companies experiencing a surge in…

May 10, 2025

Trump’s Mantra from Schools to FEMA: ‘Move it Back to the States’

President Trump’s push to close down the Education Department has been a consistent theme throughout…

April 1, 2025

Man stabbed to death in NYC subway station during rush-hour scuffle

Man Stabbed to Death in Manhattan Subway Station After Altercation Over Stepped-on Shoes A tragic…

April 25, 2025

You Might Also Like

Screen addiction affects teens’ mental health. How to spot it, and help
Tech and Science

Screen addiction affects teens’ mental health. How to spot it, and help

July 22, 2025
Nothing Announces CMF Watch Pro 3 Budget Smartwatch
Tech and Science

Nothing Announces CMF Watch Pro 3 Budget Smartwatch

July 22, 2025
500-Million-Year-Old Fossil Suggests Ocean Origin For Spiders : ScienceAlert
Tech and Science

500-Million-Year-Old Fossil Suggests Ocean Origin For Spiders : ScienceAlert

July 22, 2025
Samsung Galaxy S23 Cameras Made Worse by One UI 7 Update
Tech and Science

Samsung Galaxy S23 Cameras Made Worse by One UI 7 Update

July 22, 2025
logo logo
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


Explore global affairs, political insights, and linguistic origins. Stay informed with our comprehensive coverage of world news, politics, and Lifestyle.

Top Categories
  • Crime
  • Environment
  • Sports
  • Tech and Science
Usefull Links
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA

© 2024 americanfocus.online –  All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?