SHARKS HAVE A SIXTH SENSE—AND IT'S ELECTRIFYING | Oceana
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SHARKS HAVE A SIXTH SENSE—AND IT’S ELECTRIFYING

Credit: Oceana/Perrin James

 

Sharks don’t just rule the ocean with speed and strength—they also come equipped with an incredible hidden ability: a sixth sense that helps them detect electromagnetic fields in water. 

This built-in superpower is thanks to tiny gel-filled canals on their snouts called ampullae of Lorenzini. These special organs can detect the faint electric fields produced by other animals—basically allowing sharks to sense their prey without seeing or hearing it.

AN ELECTRIFYING SIXTH SENSE

This electrifying sixth sense is especially useful for hunting. Prey, like stingrays, sometimes try to hide by burying themselves in sand and staying perfectly still. But even the sneakiest fish give off a tiny electric signature when their heart beats, they breathe or move, giving them away! And this is just one part of a shark’s sensory toolkit. Like all fish, sharks also have a lateral line that allows them to pick up subtle vibrations in the water. These systems, combined with a shark’s keen sense of smell, make it very hard for prey to avoid detection.  

Sharks also use their ampullae of Lorenzini to help navigate. Scientists believe that they can detect the electric fields they induce while swimming through the Earth’s magnetic field—acting like a built-in compass as they travel the ocean. 

PREDATORS IN TROUBLE

Despite their incredible adaptations, many shark species are now in serious trouble. Overfishing, accidental capture in fishing gear (known as bycatch), and the global shark fin trade are pushing many shark species toward extinction. In fact, overfishing has contributed to a decline of oceanic shark and ray populations by more than 70% over the last 50 years. That‘s bad news for our oceans, since sharks play a very important role in keeping our oceans in balance. 

Oceana is campaigning to stop this decline. We’re taking action to end the cruel and wasteful global trade in shark fins, meat, and other products. We’re also advocating for stronger fisheries management to reduce overfishing and the number of sharks killed as bycatch

HOW YOU CAN HELP

These apex predators may have a sixth sense, but they still need our common sense—and action—to survive. You can join Oceana in standing up for sharks.  

Add your name to call for stronger protections for sharks.  

Shop the Oceana online store and make a symbolic adoption today.