Lemon shark socialization: study overview
A team of researchers investigated social interactions and even the occurrence of personalities in sharks; in this case lemon sharks. This an important topic for many reasons, and is the first of its kind. In the past, studies like this have focused on short-living animals. Sharks can live for up to 400 years! So, gaining a better understanding of the social behavior of larger marine species (Do sharks gather together? Are sharks social? Do sharks hunt together?) can give us more insight on how to better protect sharks and manage conservation efforts of these species. It also helps contradict the general misunderstanding that sharks are mindless predators as it proves lemon sharks have unique personalities and also establish social structures. This misperception often stands in the way of shark conservation.
Do sharks have personalities?
Scientists have long recognized that individual differences matter in wildlife conservation. However, most of this knowledge comes from studying smaller animals. Large, long-lived species like sharks pose a unique challenge – their slow growth and complex social dynamics make them difficult to study over long periods. This is a critical gap, considering the threats these magnificent creatures face from humans – including shark finning and shark fishing. Lemon sharks made the perfect long-living shark to study.
More than just a crowd: uncovering the roots of lemon sharks and their learned behaviors
While predation often drives animals to group together for safety, this explanation doesn’t fully account for shark behavior. Sharks, apex predators themselves, are rarely preyed upon. So, what forces shape their social lives? This study sought to uncover the hidden factors that influence how young lemon sharks interact.
A tale of two studies: tracking lemon shark social dynamics
To investigate, researchers meticulously observed groups of six young lemon sharks in a controlled environment. Unlike previous studies, they conducted both short-term and long-term observations, allowing them to track individual lemon shark behavior over time. To account for the possibility of individual sharks leaving or joining the group, researchers carefully rotated the composition of each group, creating a dynamic social environment.
Setting the stage: a lemon shark-friendly laboratory
The study took place in the crystal-clear waters of Bimini, Bahamas. Wild-caught lemon sharks were carefully tagged and introduced into a specially designed experimental pen. This underwater enclosure, complete with a hidden camera and a researcher observation tower, allowed for close-up observation of shark behavior.
Are sharks social?
Each day, the researchers observed the lemon sharks for 20 minutes, meticulously recording their every move. They focused on social behaviors like following, parallel swimming, and resting, carefully noting which sharks initiated these interactions. To ensure accuracy, they developed a sophisticated computer system to analyze the video footage, which was later validated by independent human observers. Lemon sharks have social structures and even learn from one another.
Do sharks have personalities? Can sharks learn? Some sharks are always social
The results were surprising: individual sharks consistently displayed distinct social tendencies. Some were always the “life of the party,” while others preferred to keep their distance. Remarkably, these social tendencies remained stable even when the sharks were placed in different groups. This suggests that personality plays a crucial role in shaping shark social interactions. Are sharks smart? This study also suggests that they have social structures and are not mindless.
Why does this shark study matter?
Learning about the social behavior of lemon sharks can help us better understand how/why they group together in certain areas. This is important for conservation efforts because regions where they are known to live in higher quantities can be protected from hunting and fishing.
This study also implies that sharks have distinct social structures, personalities and are capable of learning. Helping people understand that sharks are not mindless monsters is helpful in turning fear of sharks into fascination, and hopefully, will change perspectives of these incredible creatures that are also very important for the health of our blue planet.
You can read the full study here.
By: Greer Jessie, BS Undergraduate Student, University of Florida and Shark Angels Intern
Scientific Study: Are some sharks more social than others? Short- and long-term consistencies in the social behavior of juvenile lemon sharks by J. S. Finger et al., 2017