Shark Trivia

Did You Know that Sharks are a lot Smarter than you think….

.….despite how they have been depicted strictly as mindless hunters in TV and movies over the last several decades? Scientists continue to study their capabilities as it relates to intelligence vs. instinct. Sharks display a measure of intelligence and have frequently been seen expressing curiosity and even problem-solving skills. Some of their findings include:

• Most shark species have bigger brains in relation to their body size than most animals. While their brain size is smaller in relation to body mass than humans, it has not yet been discovered what the body-to-brain mass ratio has to do with the intelligence of an animal.

• In relation to body size, Hammerhead Sharks have the biggest brains. Hammerheads often spend time in groups, which may imply a social structure. Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks are often considered some of the smartest sharks.

• Some sharks have learned to do simple tasks in exchange for rewards. In exchange for food, captive Lemon Sharks have been taught to ring bells, swim through mazes, and press targets more quickly than some other animals. This may imply that they are quick learners.

• Fast hunters including Great White Sharks and Mako Sharks are considered to be more intelligent than slow-moving, bottom-feeding sharks such as Carpet Sharks.

• Almost all of a shark’s brain is used for processing information from its six senses.