The sight of a shark launching itself from the ocean’s surface is a remarkable display of power and agility. This aerial behavior, known as breaching, raises questions about its purpose. While often associated with dramatic hunting scenarios, the reasons and mechanisms behind these powerful leaps extend beyond a single explanation.
Identifying the Leapers
Several shark species are known for their ability to breach. Great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) are perhaps the most recognized for their spectacular leaps when ambushing prey near the surface. These powerful predators can propel their large bodies several feet into the air during a hunting attack, sometimes reaching heights of 10 to 15 feet. Such events are frequently observed in areas with dense seal colonies, where the sharks target fast-moving pinnipeds.
Mako sharks are also highly acrobatic leapers. They are among the fastest sharks, and their speed contributes to their impressive jumping ability, with documented leaps up to 20 to 30 feet above the water’s surface, often observed when pursuing fast-moving fish. Thresher sharks (Alopias spp.) use their exceptionally long, whip-like tail in a unique hunting strategy to stun schooling fish; their breaching is an integral part of this technique. Spinner sharks (Carcharhinus brevipinna) are known for their spinning leaps, and even large, filter-feeding basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) have been observed breaching.
The Driving Forces Behind the Jump
Sharks engage in breaching for a variety of reasons. A primary motivation, especially for great white sharks and mako sharks, is a hunting strategy. These sharks launch themselves from below to surprise and disorient fast-moving prey like seals or schooling fish at the surface. The force of the breach can incapacitate the prey.
Breaching can also serve other functions, such as dislodging parasites or remoras from their skin. This is a commonly proposed explanation for filter-feeding sharks, like basking sharks. Communication is another hypothesized reason for breaching, with the large splash potentially signaling presence or deterring other sharks. Some researchers suggest that breaching in basking sharks might be related to courtship or mating displays. Escape from predators, such as larger sharks or orcas, can also prompt a shark to leap from the water.
The Mechanics of the Leap
Propelling a large body out of the water requires immense power and precise movements. Sharks generate the necessary thrust through powerful contractions of their tail fin, or caudal fin. The crescent-shaped caudal fin acts as an efficient propeller, capable of generating significant force with side-to-side motions.
A shark’s streamlined, torpedo-shaped body minimizes drag, facilitating rapid acceleration. To initiate a breach, sharks often ascend vertically from deeper water, building speed. Great white sharks, for example, can reach speeds of 25 to 40 miles per hour during their ascent. As they approach the surface, their momentum carries them into the air, with the transition from water to air allowing continued upward trajectory. Precise angles and body orientation contribute to their effective launch.