Close-Up View Of Mako Shark Skin (IMAGE)

American Physical Society

Close-Up View Of Mako Shark Skin

Caption

This is a photograph of shortfin mako shark scales which each measure about 0.2 millimeters in length. The front row of scales has been manually bristled to their maximum angle of about 50 degrees by the biologist, orientation is that flow from nose to tail would pass from left to right over the skin. Scales are translucent denticles, and feel like tiny loose teeth covering the whole shark. These scales with greatest bristling capability are from the flank region behind the gills.

Credit

Phil Motta at the University of South Florida

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