PLoS One March 2014 PMID 23874415

Thresher sharks use tail-slaps as a hunting strategy.

Simon P Oliver, John R Turner, Klemens Gann, Medel Silvosa, Tim D'Urban Jackson

Mentions

153
Peak: 30 in Feb 2019
across 7 sources since Feb 2017

Extended reach

2,499,121
potential audience

Total likes

30,633

Video views

2,137,407

Mentions per month

Feb 2017 – Nov 2024

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter60 posts
  • Facebook39 posts
  • News30 articles
  • Blogs15 articles
  • Bluesky5 posts
  • Reddit3 posts
  • YouTube1 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions strongly agree with the importance of the research, highlighting the unique tail-slapping technique as a 'game changer' in understanding shark predation. Words like 'fascinating,' 'amazing,' and references to specific videos and scientific papers reflect high interest and engagement, emphasizing both scientific curiosity and public fascination.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions support the research, emphasizing how fascinating and groundbreaking the hunting methods are.

InterestHigh interest

Posts show high interest, with users sharing facts, videos, and expressing amazement at the shark's behavior.

EngagementHigh engagement

Many users actively comment, share videos, and discuss biomechanics, indicating deep engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The widespread attention and appreciation for the research suggest some influence on public understanding of shark behaviors, though the immediate real-world impact is moderate.

Abstract in brief

  • Thresher sharks use their scythe-like tails to hunt sardines by tailslapping, which helps debilitate and catch their prey.
  • The hunting process involves several phases, with preparation (winding up the tailslap) being the longest, and tailslaps often occurring during both day and night.
  • Their specialized fins and effective tailslapping technique suggest that this behavior evolved specifically for hunting schooling fish like sardines.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
O espécime
@O_Especime · X

Os pesquisadores relatam que com esse método de caça os tubarões conseguem atordoar em média 3 presas em uma única investida, e 7 até nos ataques mais bem sucedidos! O artigo com a descrição do comportamento pode ser encontrado gratuitamente aqui: https://t.co/D6mAfj8gWD

Feb 24, 2022 · 70 likes · 1 share · 12,363 followers View post →
David Shiffman, Ph.D.
@whysharksmatter.bsky.social · Bluesky

In which I post a daily shark fact on Bluesky every day unless I forget in which case they’ll be more like daily-ish: Thresher sharks use their long tails as a whip, which makes a shock wave that stuns little fish https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0067380

Jun 2, 2023 · 59 likes · 16 shares View post →
Becario en Hoth
@becarioenhoth · X

Más (y mejor) sobre el tiburón zorro en el siguiente link. Gracias por leer hasta el final

Jan 22, 2019 · 30 likes · 1 share · 55,583 followers View post →
SciShow
@SciShow · X

Slashing, shredding, and dismembering with mere teeth or brute force isn't interesting enough for nature's weirdest sharks. https://t.co/APGCBOULUH https://t.co/9aIvqA8wYc

Feb 4, 2019 · 19 likes · 4 shares · 115,389 followers View post →
Amani Webber-Schultz
@Curly_Biologist · X

Here is an open access paper about the pelagic thresher shark: https://t.co/sHutOJ5381

Jan 18, 2022 · 9 likes · 1 share · 14,126 followers View post →
シャークジャーナリスト沼口麻子/サメサメ倶楽部よろシャーク
@sharkjournalist · X

https://t.co/VrHiD69P5j https://t.co/7uLUoVJqs3

Sep 2, 2021 · 9 likes · 4,896 followers View post →

All mentions

MARE-Madeira I Aquatic Research Institute
@MARE_Madeira · X

¹Oliver, S. P., Turner, J. R., Gann, K., Silvosa, M., & D’Urban Jackson, T. (2013). Thresher Sharks Use Tail-Slaps as a Hunting Strategy. PLoS ONE, 8(7), e67380. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0067380

Nov 8, 2024 · 972 followers View post →
Pol Carrasco
@PolCa98 · X

La imagen anterior pertenece al paper de Oliver et al. (2013) 1⃣ sobre la caza del tiburón zorro que os dejo aquí. También os dejo uno sobre la biomecánica del latigazo frontal 2⃣. 1⃣Oliver et al. (2013): https://t.co/aVwRdUiZQJ 2⃣Knaub et al. (2024): https://t.co/oVCx3NPZMq

Jul 14, 2024 · 2,315 followers View post →
WATURyoudoin
@WATURyoudoin · X

THRESHER SHARK https://t.co/EPTuEUmptz https://t.co/mACNrypddC https://t.co/CScgGDgDDF https://t.co/JxDTvt9ZHQ https://t.co/EXRCwSXlBE

Jan 3, 2024 · 673 followers View post →
David Shiffman, Ph.D.
@whysharksmatter.bsky.social · Bluesky

In which I post a daily shark fact on Bluesky every day unless I forget in which case they’ll be more like daily-ish: Thresher sharks use their long tails as a whip, which makes a shock wave that stuns little fish https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0067380

Jun 2, 2023 · 59 likes · 16 shares View post →
SuzanneHoselton
@SHoselton76 · X

The 7 Weirdest Sharks on Earth https://t.co/aqEvkcyaJH via @YouTube

Dec 28, 2022 · 43 followers View post →
nik
@sharkoutboy · X

https://t.co/7fmJGIeIDs

Jun 1, 2022 · 2,784 followers View post →
Marcos K. Pinheiro / "Marcos Wyvern" (Marcosaurus)
@BongMarcosaurus · X

RT @O_Especime: Os pesquisadores relatam que com esse método de caça os tubarões conseguem atordoar em média 3 presas em uma única investid…

Feb 24, 2022 · 1 share · 1,002 followers View post →
O espécime
@O_Especime · X

Os pesquisadores relatam que com esse método de caça os tubarões conseguem atordoar em média 3 presas em uma única investida, e 7 até nos ataques mais bem sucedidos! O artigo com a descrição do comportamento pode ser encontrado gratuitamente aqui: https://t.co/D6mAfj8gWD

Feb 24, 2022 · 70 likes · 1 share · 12,363 followers View post →
transsharkboy
@transsharkboy · X

RT @Curly_Biologist: Here is an open access paper about the pelagic thresher shark: https://t.co/sHutOJ5381

Jan 20, 2022 · 1 share · 61 followers View post →
Amani Webber-Schultz
@Curly_Biologist · X

Here is an open access paper about the pelagic thresher shark: https://t.co/sHutOJ5381

Jan 18, 2022 · 9 likes · 1 share · 14,126 followers View post →
シャークジャーナリスト沼口麻子/サメサメ倶楽部よろシャーク
@sharkjournalist · X

https://t.co/VrHiD69P5j https://t.co/7uLUoVJqs3

Sep 2, 2021 · 9 likes · 4,896 followers View post →
Andi O
@WingsStandard · X

https://t.co/iBQKuKfNxr

Jun 5, 2021 · 232 followers View post →
Liz Byrd
@LegolizByrd · X

@AmTheLemon @ViviDaijou I found a video that has info about frilled sharks and goblin sharks as well as other odd sharks for you! https://t.co/1DsaDnlOY7

Jun 2, 2021 · 1 like · 12 followers View post →
原 拓史
@haltaq · X

RT @japanfossil: 補遺動画4 https://t.co/mfm7h1lRcj

Dec 1, 2020 · 1 share · 3,553 followers View post →
原 拓史
@haltaq · X

RT @japanfossil: 補遺動画3 https://t.co/YoijBMOAjt

Dec 1, 2020 · 1 share · 3,553 followers View post →
原 拓史
@haltaq · X

RT @japanfossil: 補遺動画2 https://t.co/zwyR3oSlGl

Dec 1, 2020 · 1 share · 3,553 followers View post →
原 拓史
@haltaq · X

RT @japanfossil: 動画引用元は論文https://t.co/zwyR3oSlGl

Dec 1, 2020 · 1 share · 3,553 followers View post →
中島保寿(古生物学者)
@japanfossil · X

補遺動画4 https://t.co/mfm7h1lRcj

Dec 1, 2020 · 4 likes · 1 share · 17,604 followers View post →
中島保寿(古生物学者)
@japanfossil · X

補遺動画3 https://t.co/YoijBMOAjt

Dec 1, 2020 · 4 likes · 1 share · 17,604 followers View post →
中島保寿(古生物学者)
@japanfossil · X

補遺動画2 https://t.co/zwyR3oSlGl

Dec 1, 2020 · 2 likes · 1 share · 17,604 followers View post →
中島保寿(古生物学者)
@japanfossil · X

補遺動画1 https://t.co/zwyR3oSlGl

Dec 1, 2020 · 2 likes · 1 share · 17,604 followers View post →
中島保寿(古生物学者)
@japanfossil · X

動画引用元は論文https://t.co/zwyR3oSlGl

Dec 1, 2020 · 3 likes · 1 share · 17,604 followers View post →
ree
@dnpgasp · X

uf me siento niño de 8 años pero es que los tiburones son megaguaays 7 of the Most Uniquely Fierce Sharks https://t.co/8jk68lApEg a través de @YouTube

Oct 30, 2020 · 3 likes · 50 followers View post →
John P. Friel, Ph.D.
@friel · X

May 20, 2020 · 1 like · 7,664 followers View post →
かふぇいん☘️
@aiCori1 · X

7 of the Most Uniquely Fierce Sharks https://t.co/54ZenlRRV4 via @YouTube

Apr 22, 2020 · 974 followers View post →
waldo.5
@waldo595260466 · X

7 of the Most Uniquely Fierce Sharks https://t.co/9KQyHUeAHO via @YouTube

Jan 29, 2020 · 6 followers View post →
ECOGIG - Ocean Ecosystem Research
@DeepseaECOGIG · X

Sharks come in a lot of different shapes and sizes and many of them don't look like the ones you see in movies. Here are seven sharks that went down some decidedly strange evolutionary paths for today's #filmfriday https://t.co/vLhmdeSyVj https://t.co/Mbllh7C9Sm

Jan 24, 2020 · 1,721 followers View post →
Milton Tan
@mtanichthys · X

@JasonWardNY @edyong209 WELL THEN https://t.co/lgBUTtQ89H https://t.co/WkWwLSkHAb

Sep 4, 2019 · 5 likes · 1 share · 5,097 followers View post →
MIchelle Weston
@mweston · X

What shark are you? 7 of the Most Uniquely Fierce Sharks https://t.co/C5r1yU3Cpa via @YouTube

Jul 29, 2019 · 432 followers View post →
Milton Tan
@mtanichthys · X

@subsurface_life So hard to pick a favorite, but these two are just so good, with some great supplementary videos: Electric eels electrify threats: https://t.co/KZTkuGicQb Thresher sharks tail-slap prey: https://t.co/lgBUTtQ89H

Jun 10, 2019 · 5,097 followers View post →
A.J. Sequeira
@ngl · X

I liked a video on YouTube: 7 of the Most Uniquely Fierce Sharks https://t.co/IFQfbKtJVA

Apr 25, 2019 · 515 followers View post →
Kerry Ann
@HeyKayEh · X

@MakoPeggy you’re so Hollywood according to this https://t.co/M2Jlb10V9l

Feb 20, 2019 · 1 like · 49 followers View post →
Elise Larsson
@EliseLarsson · X

7 of the Most Uniquely Fierce Sharks https://t.co/zb4cCe2hUu via @YouTube

Feb 15, 2019 · 239 followers View post →
Kaijuking30
@Kaijuking30 · X

https://t.co/W1ShcPomLa

Feb 10, 2019 · 3,450 followers View post →
Stephanie Osadchuk
@stephosadchuk · X

7 of the Most Uniquely Fierce Sharks https://t.co/k5gF8poowH via @YouTube Very Interesting

Feb 9, 2019 · 340 followers View post →
MysticCoco
@TheMysticCoco · X

Liked on YouTube: 7 of the Most Uniquely Fierce Sharks https://t.co/4xHUWySeZG

Feb 7, 2019 · 100 followers View post →
Harry
@harry_and_stars · X

@BluesDank https://t.co/f8RgBZeyLL

Feb 5, 2019 · 155 followers View post →
La_Maudite
@La_Maudite · X

RT @SciShow: Slashing, shredding, and dismembering with mere teeth or brute force isn't interesting enough for nature's weirdest sharks. ht…

Feb 4, 2019 · 4 shares · 86 followers View post →
SciShow
@SciShow · X

Slashing, shredding, and dismembering with mere teeth or brute force isn't interesting enough for nature's weirdest sharks. https://t.co/APGCBOULUH https://t.co/9aIvqA8wYc

Feb 4, 2019 · 19 likes · 4 shares · 115,389 followers View post →
DominusPegas
@DominusPegas · X

7 of the Most Uniquely Fierce Sharks https://t.co/8EiKnzJXdB

Feb 4, 2019 · 378 followers View post →
thenewdingo
@thenewdingo · X

This is too awesome. Shark with a whip tail https://t.co/6Csf9tPIVC

Feb 4, 2019 · 96 followers View post →
chibirene
@chibirene · X

7 of the Most Uniquely Fierce Sharks https://t.co/tU3e2QJEAm via @YouTube

Feb 3, 2019 · 302 followers View post →
Worgen & Wolf's Bakery Shop
@WolfnamedKoga · X

Here. Watch this @SciShow video. It's way more interesting than the"#SuperBowl" https://t.co/XKVT2i4scm

Feb 3, 2019 · 3 likes · 84 followers View post →
Gary McFarlane
@GaryM · X

The biology of 7 of the Most Uniquely Fierce Sharks https://t.co/bL1XmsBRe3 via @SciShow #SciChat #STEM

Feb 3, 2019 · 4,594 followers View post →
ImmaLion
@XSpBlog · X

Liked on YouTube: 7 of the Most Uniquely Fierce Sharks https://t.co/Z3ufgFpOVw

Feb 3, 2019 · 162 followers View post →
Alberto
@maxovrdrive · X

7 of the Most Uniquely Fierce Sharks https://t.co/Fw3d14ZA4S via @YouTube

Feb 3, 2019 · 123 followers View post →
Charles Ikenna
@CharlesIkenna23 · X

7 of the Most Uniquely Fierce Sharks https://t.co/XVIH94skiW via @YouTube

Feb 3, 2019 · 1 like · 3,222 followers View post →
Ordo Fraterna Fibonacci
@OrdoFibonacci · X

7 of the Most Uniquely Fierce Sharks https://t.co/W0TTig0H2h via @YouTube

Feb 3, 2019 · 2,570 followers View post →
David Jameson
@link5261 · X

7 of the Most Uniquely Fierce Sharks https://t.co/bOpor9pyyE via @YouTube

Feb 3, 2019 · 239 followers View post →
pseudoDavid
@iNihil · X

Liked on YouTube: 7 of the Most Uniquely Fierce Sharks https://t.co/YwVaWvTIm3

Feb 3, 2019 · 34 followers View post →
mizsewandsew
@mizsewandsew · X

@ProgressShark , I didn't see any mention of you in this video but it's pretty interesting none the less! https://t.co/B1vQ0eMxHI

Feb 3, 2019 · 1,870 followers View post →
Gorji
@SheriffGorji · X

RT @DepthGame: Shout out to the Goblin and Thresher for being two of the most uniquely fierce sharks! Which of the others in this list woul…

Feb 3, 2019 · 1 share · 128 followers View post →
ivacheung.com
@ivacheung.com · Bluesky

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1R81gTT0M8

Feb 3, 2019 View post →
Life's a Bitch & So Am I (We-I)
@AbandonArts · X

Scishow on Awesome Sharks https://t.co/tw2CJTy3Vz

Feb 3, 2019 · 17 followers View post →
Depth
@DepthGame · X

Shout out to the Goblin and Thresher for being two of the most uniquely fierce sharks! Which of the others in this list would you like to see in Depth?

Feb 3, 2019 · 6 likes · 1 share · 2,031 followers View post →
thomas.
@tektiteTV · X

SciShow: 7 of the Most Uniquely Fierce Sharks https://t.co/GqbdjmmCNM

Feb 3, 2019 · 27 followers View post →
Dr. Vincent Raoult
@sawsharkman · X

Awesome @SciShow on #sharks, but we still don't know what sawsharks use their rostrums for! We're trying to find out! We know common sawsharks love their prawns thought... @hankgreen https://t.co/L6DKcFc10b

Feb 3, 2019 · 6,004 followers View post →
POPTOP #science
@poptopitscience · X

7 of the Most Uniquely Fierce Sharks https://t.co/A537JDQdzG

Feb 3, 2019 · 22 followers View post →
Kitty
@kittybravofan · X

7 of the Most Uniquely Fierce Sharks https://t.co/lkGjHSnH1o via @YouTube

Feb 3, 2019 · 719 followers View post →
Johannes Lüke
@JohannesSLueke · X

New video by SciShow: 7 of the Most Uniquely Fierce Sharks https://t.co/gIDPqh0ez1

Feb 3, 2019 · 83 followers View post →
Tomy Alaniz
@alaniz_tomy · X

RT @becarioenhoth: Más (y mejor) sobre el tiburón zorro en el siguiente link. Gracias por leer hasta el final

Jan 22, 2019 · 1 share · 267 followers View post →
Becario en Hoth
@becarioenhoth · X

Más (y mejor) sobre el tiburón zorro en el siguiente link. Gracias por leer hasta el final

Jan 22, 2019 · 30 likes · 1 share · 55,583 followers View post →
David Shiffman, Ph.D.
@whysharksmatter.bsky.social · Bluesky

Thanks for following, @terrileedee ! Thresher sharks use their long tails to whip and stun prey http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?type=supplementary&id=info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0067380.s001

Mar 4, 2017 View post →
Francesco Santini
@fsantini2015.bsky.social · Bluesky

Thresher Sharks Use Tail-Slaps as a Hunting Strategy http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0067380

Feb 5, 2017 View post →
David Shiffman, Ph.D.
@whysharksmatter.bsky.social · Bluesky

So biology twitter is doing #BestTail ? Thresher sharks win. They use their long tail as a whip to stun prey. http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0067380

Feb 5, 2017 View post →