News
New side of sharks revealed
2nd Aug 2016 6:38 PM
HAMMERHEAD sharks have side-stroke down pat with scientists discovering they spend a lot of time swimming in a strange position.
James Cook University researchers found great hammerheads - Sphyrna mokarran - swim on their sides because it's a much more efficient way to travel than swimming right side up.
The researchers used accelerometers and video cameras to study five sharks off Australia, Belize and the Bahamas.
The sharks spent up to 90% of their swim time at 50-70 degree angles using their large dorsal fin to generate lift to reduce their energy use 10%.
