Sharks and dolphins have shared the ocean for ages, but only recently, scientists have begun to understand the true nature of the relationship between these two masters of the sea. It’s dangerous for dolphins, but sometimes the tables are turned.
Airing during Shark Week 2016, Sharks vs. Dolphins: Face Off uncovers the mysteries of the relationship. The show, which features FIU marine scientist Mike Heithaus and his team, will premiere at 10 p.m., Wednesday, June 29, on Discovery.
Heithaus and his team bring new research that may solve why sharks attack dolphins far more than we ever knew. Well-known internationally through his research on the ecological role of large sharks, Heithaus is the dean of the College of Arts, Sciences & Education at FIU. He currently conducts research using cutting-edge technology, including cameras worn by animals, to unravel the lives of hard-to-study marine creatures from whales and dolphins to sharks, seals and turtles. His lab’s work in Shark Bay, Australia, is the most detailed study of the ecological role of sharks in the world and has been used as the underpinning for affecting positive policy changes in shark conservation initiated by several prominent Non-Governmental Organizations. He is one of the lead researchers for Global FinPrint, an international effort to survey reef shark and ray populations all across the world. He has appeared in numerous documentaries and on Shark Week.
For a list of FIU shark experts, click here.
Call me crazy, but I can honestly say that Shark Week is one of my favorite times of the year! Did anyone else see the epic “Isle of Jaws” special — amazing stuff! I don’t know what it is about the Shark Week episodes that just rope me in hour after hour, but on more than one occasion I’ve found myself glued to the television for longer than I’m proud to admit. Obviously it has prompted me to do some research and I actually came across some awesome ideas for anyone interested in travel having to do with sharks!! I’ll post a link here for those of you who are interested to check out! Cheers!!
http://www.stridetravel.com/tours/destinations/south-america/ecuador/galapagos-islands.html
Characteristic of the Sharks and Dolphin:
Although dolphins are known to travel in pods, in most cases large sharks and dolphins will be trying avoiding competition with one another species. Especially when the large group of dolphins tendency to predatory on smaller sharks.
Sharks have the diversity on the ocean for more than 300 million years of evolution with some gradual changes throughout the natural history with an total count of 400 species including that are rare as of the current of today. There are sharks everywhere on the ocean ecosystem from rivers or lakes to estuaries to coral reef to deep sea botton and the open water.
Dolphins in the other hands also diversified the ocean within 35 million years with an total count of 49 species in total including that are rare as of presence to date, but the species count up may vary in the open water.
Both sharks and dolphins are very acrobat, hydrodynamic efficient swimming in the open water. Dolphins can leap 20 feet above the water for fun, while shortfin make can leap over 30 feet above the water or into the boat as the act of aggression. Some reef sharks are lazy and can increase amount of oxygen uptake while still relaxing on the ocean bottom, while most species dolphins cannot function properly.
Sharks vs. Dolphins was a great show!