Researchers say submarine drone videos have provided evidence of what they believe are fish using the skin of passing sharks as back-scratchers for exfoliating dead scales and parasites. Just as oddly, the different incarnations of sharks filmed seemed just fine in assuming the role of piscine loofa foam.
A group of marine biologists from the University of Miami conducted their research around the world to find an answer to why fish seem so keen on rubbing up against one of the most feared creatures in the seas. After studying hours of videos taken by their submarine drone, the experts now believe the not infrequent instances of fish – whether a single individual or in large schools of 100 or more – braving the deadly potentials involved in actively seeking out and nuzzling the skin of sharks: It appears to be part of their hygienic process.
“While chafing has been well documented between fish and inanimate objects, such as sand or rocky substrate, this…
