Most people are familiar with the fact that sharks are cold-blooded - it helps them survive in pretty harsh conditions.
At the same time, a new discovery shows that some sharks are actually warm-blooded, which makes them pretty unique.
Let's find out more.
An unusual kind of sharks
The basking shark, an exception among fish and sharks, possesses regional endothermic traits, keeping its core body regions warmer than the surrounding water.
Unlike typical cold-blooded species, regional endotherms like great white sharks and tunas have this ability, aiding their predatory lifestyle.
Surprisingly, even gentle plankton-feeding basking sharks exhibit regional endothermic characteristics, though their lifestyle differs significantly.
This revelation has ecological and evolutionary implications and is vital for conservation efforts.
Why the discovery is important
With legal protection recently granted in Irish waters due to population declines, understanding their unique physiology is crucial.
Researchers used dissections and a low-impact tagging method to record body temperature data from basking sharks off the coast of Co Cork, Ireland, shedding light on these remarkable creatures.
