Even the sea rulers must rest occasionally. No one has ever truly witnessed a great white shark in the middle of a nap in the wild, despite our infatuation with them. The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Pelagios Kakunjá scientific teams have now succeeded in filming one that they believe was in a sleep-like state.
The shark was sighted by the researchers on Guadalupe Island, which is close to Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. Near the bottom of the shallow seafloor, the shark was observed swimming face first into a 3 km/h (1.8 mph) current in order to efficiently aid oxygen-rich water flow over its gills. Along with gaping open, it also has a motionless, even catatonic expression. Although little is known about the great white shark’s nighttime routine, scientists theorize that it may resemble sleep.
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