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Nurse sharks are able to ‘walk’ on the ocean floor: study

A new study found some-fin awesome – walking sharks.

Researchers from the University of Exeter and NGO Beneath the Waves used underwater cameras in Turks and Caicos to capture the incredible feet.

The study explains that nurse sharks are able to use a wider range of feeding behaviors — including using their fins — to obtain food.

Nurse Sharks use vertical feeding (head down), ventral feeding (belly up) and “pectoral positioning” as ways to get their food.

The “pectoral positioning” forces the shark to move its pectoral fins in a way that resembles walking.

“These feeding behaviors show that nurse sharks are adapted to feed on different prey across a variety of habitats,” said lead author Kristian Parton. “Our footage suggests nurse sharks may do something similar on the sea floor.”

“This work illustrates the immense behavioral adaptability of coastal shark species,” noted Dr. Oliver Shipley, Senior Research Scientist at Beneath The Waves.

Nurse Sharks use vertical feeding (head down), ventral feeding (belly up) and “pectoral positioning” as ways to obtain food.
Kristian Parton et al./SWNS
The study, which was published in the Environmental Biology of Fishes journal, said that nurse sharks are able to use a wider range of feeding behaviors -- including using their fins -- to obtain food.
Kristian Parton et al./SWNS
According to the team, previous research into nurse sharks only focused on their reproduction methods.
Kristian Parton et al./SWNS

“Despite their widespread nature, we know comparatively little about nurse shark behavior relative to other coastal species, so this study provides an important step to further understanding their ecological role.”

According to the team, previous research into nurse sharks only focused on their reproduction methods. Scientists said this jaw-dropping research also shows the integral part role nurse sharks play on tropical reefs around the world.