What happens if a shark is upside down

The in a vertebra is made up of discs and strung like beads on the spinal cord. This arrangement gives flexibility to its back and allows the shark to move its tail from side to side. Julie Andersen says that, while touching sharks used to fuel her drive for conservation, she is not an advocate for divers touching sharks.

While it may be tempting, Julie Andersen of Shark Angels says that divers should resist the urge to touch sharks. The whale shark is massive and the largest of all sharks. However, they are considered to be quite gentle. Once sharks are upside down, it doesn't take long for tonic immobility to kick in.

It usually takes no more than 60 seconds to render a shark motionless. If nothing interferes with their tonic immobility, it can last for a maximum of 15 minutes or so. Once sharks "snap out of it," they revert to their normal positions, and then promptly resume their typical activities.

Tonic immobility in and of itself is not believed to cause any permanent detrimental effects on sharks. Some predators take advantage of tonic immobility in sharks. It's often a quick way to make normally tough opponents weak and temporarily subdued.

Killer whales Orcinus orca are specific examples of this. Killer whales have been spotted forcing sharks into upside-down positions for many minutes at a time. This makes it simple for predators to dine on sharks. Video link. Close X. Click to scroll back to top of the page Back to top. By Josh K. Elliott Global News. Posted October 25, pm. Updated October 26, am. Smaller font Descrease article font size - A.

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