These Fins Were Made for Walking

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS一Researchers with Beneath the Waves have recorded an unusual nurse shark behavior off the coast of the Overseas British Territory the Turks and Caicos Islands. It appears that a nurse shark will ‘walk’ on its pectoral fins to reposition itself for a more optimal position to attack potential prey. Beneath the Waves is a non-profit organization created in 2013 dedicated to promoting ocean health that specifically specializes in the conservation of protected marine areas with a focus on sharks. Chief Executive and Lead Scientist of Beneath the Waves Dr. Austin Gallagher caught and shared the footage on his Twitter. “Nurse sharks use their fins to walk and position themselves.” said the Feb. 4 tweet. “Cool behaviors we recorded last week in TCI. Sometimes it’s the small things like this that give me ocean optimism.” The shark was lured in with a “baited remote underwater video station” that allowed the shark to show-off its ability to coordinate itself on its pectoral fins before biting down, according to a Feb. 10 article from ForTheWin. The video shows the shark nosing the remote with its snout before lunging in and biting down on the bait. The shark paused before biting down again and used its fins...