Skip to content

Southern Fried Science

Over 15 years of ocean science and conservation online

  • Home
  • About SFS
  • Authors
  • Support SFS

Tag: shark biomechanics

Here’s how thresher sharks whip their tails back and forth

Posted on February 19, 2024 By David Shiffman 1 Comment on Here’s how thresher sharks whip their tails back and forth
Here’s how thresher sharks whip their tails back and forth
Science

A new study breaks down the biomechanics of one of the marine world’s most unusual hunting behaviors. Thresher sharks have one of the strangest body plans of any fish, with almost half their body comprised of a scythe-like tail. It had long been suspected that that they use this tail is a whip to stun … Read More “Here’s how thresher sharks whip their tails back and forth” »

Popular Posts

Why the new Trump order to shoot wolves is both illegal and a dreadful precedent for endangered speciesWhy the new Trump order to shoot wolves is both illegal and a dreadful precedent for endangered speciesSeptember 5, 2026Ali Gaster
Shark of Darkness: Wrath of Submarine is a fake documentaryShark of Darkness: Wrath of Submarine is a fake documentaryAugust 10, 2014Michelle Jewell
Have we found the city of Atlantis?Have we found the city of Atlantis?September 1, 2026Chris Parsons
Jabberwocks and Snallygasters: teaching environmental education with monsters, mayhem, and dice.Jabberwocks and Snallygasters: teaching environmental education with monsters, mayhem, and dice.August 31, 2026Andrew Thaler
Sharks, science, and summer camp: Jeff Carrier's underappreciated Seacamp legacySharks, science, and summer camp: Jeff Carrier's underappreciated Seacamp legacySeptember 2, 2026David Shiffman
What is a Sand Shark?What is a Sand Shark?November 12, 2017Chuck Bangley
What Ocean Ramsey does is not shark science or conservation: some brief thoughts on "the Shark Whisperer" documentaryWhat Ocean Ramsey does is not shark science or conservation: some brief thoughts on "the Shark Whisperer" documentaryJuly 2, 2025David Shiffman
Your help needed: Oppose a weakened shark finning ban in MarylandYour help needed: Oppose a weakened shark finning ban in MarylandJanuary 26, 2014David Shiffman
Zombie ideas in conservation: trophy hunting and conservationZombie ideas in conservation: trophy hunting and conservationAugust 6, 2026Ali Gaster
Aliens, Ridley Scott, and bad scienceAliens, Ridley Scott, and bad scienceSeptember 3, 2026Chris Parsons
Subscribe to our RSS Feed for updates whenever new articles are published.

We recommend Feedly for RSS management. It's like Google Reader, except it still exists.

Southern Fried Science

  • Home
  • About SFS
  • Authors
  • Support SFS


If you enjoy Southern Fried Science, consider contributing to our Patreon campaign.

Copyright © 2026 Southern Fried Science.

Theme: Oceanly Premium by ScriptsTown