Untitled Document

SHARKS IN THE WATER!!
Swimming

created by Andy Parrish

Placiod scales
photos by R.M. Deeley at www.sciencebugz.com

Hook shaped
Creates little whirlpools behind scales
Makes swimming more efficient

Chris Fallows/apexpredators.com

Swim Style

Caudal fin is used as propulsion
Heterocoercal shape of caudal fin helps provide lift (Bernouilli's principle)
Pectoral fins are rigid and also provide lift to compensate for negative bouyancy
Dorsal fin is used to keep the body level in the water

Swimming Problems

Cannot stop suddenly and swim backwards
Pectoral fins cannot bend upwards limiting them to only swimming forward
- Have to swerve from side to side to dodge obstacles in the water (Martin)

Speed

Most sharks swim at about 5 kph
Bottom dwelling sharks swim slowly
Makos are nearly the top fastest, reaching speeds of 48 kph (Martin)

citations

Martin, R. Aidan. 2003. Copyright and Usage Policy. World Wide Web Publication, www.elasmo-research.org/copyright.htm