Sharks Dining on Sharks—And Scientists Know Thanks to a Swallowed Tracking Tag
Sharks as Apex Predators
Sharks are often thought of as apex predators, meaning they have no natural predators and are at the top of the food chain.
However, a new study has found that this may not always be the case. In fact, sharks may prey on each other more often than we thought.
Swallowed Tracking Tag Reveals Inter-Species Shark Predation
The study was conducted by researchers at the University of California, Davis. They attached tracking tags to 39 white sharks and 8 tiger sharks off the coast of California.
One of the white sharks, named "Nicole," was found to have swallowed a tag that had been attached to another white shark, named "Salvador."
The researchers believe that Nicole killed and ate Salvador. This is the first documented case of a white shark preying on another white shark.
Shark-on-Shark Predation May Be Common
The study's findings suggest that shark-on-shark predation may be more common than previously thought.
The researchers believe that this may be due to a number of factors, such as competition for food and territory.
They also believe that shark-on-shark predation may play an important role in regulating shark populations.
Implications for Shark Conservation
The study's findings have implications for shark conservation.
If shark-on-shark predation is more common than previously thought, it could mean that shark populations are more vulnerable to overfishing than we thought.
The researchers believe that more research is needed to understand the extent of shark-on-shark predation and its impact on shark populations.
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