Nature · 2

Which deep-sea fish navigates almost entirely by detecting weak electrical fields generated by the muscle movements of nearby prey?

Answer

The shark

Sharks possess specialised sensory organs called the ampullae of Lorenzini — jelly-filled pores concentrated around their snouts that detect the minute electrical fields generated by the muscle contractions of other animals, allowing them to locate hidden or motionless prey.

💡 Did you know?

Sharks can detect electrical fields as weak as one-billionth of a volt — so sensitive they can sense a prey animal's heartbeat through sand.

Other options people guess

  • The anglerfish
  • The oarfish
  • The viperfish

Topics

  • sharks
  • deep-sea
  • electroreception
  • senses
  • marine-biology

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