Cristina Zenato

Cristina Zenato Instagram – Buccal Pumping
Contrary to popular belief, not all sharks have to swim to breathe (ventilate is the correct word).
All species of sharks (520 ) have a system called Ram Ventilation. They let water flow through their gills with their mouths slightly open as they swim and extract oxygen from the water.
While Great Whites, Great Hammerheads, Blues, Mako, Whale Sharks, and a few other species only have Ram, most other species also possess a second ventilation system called Buccal pumping. The shark opens and closes the mouth while in a resting position, siphoning water and squeezing it through the gills to extract the needed oxygen.
Most people are familiar with nurse sharks resting on the ocean floor, but other species, such as Lemon, Tiger, Caribbean Reef, and Bull sharks, can also pump and rest on the ocean floor.
Image of nurse sharks by me during our liveaboard trip around the Northern Bahamas to encounter and learn more about eight different species of sharks. 2026 dates are now open.
@isotta_underwater_housings @neptunic_com @fourthelementdive @waterproofinternational @diveshearwater @peopleofthewater | Posted on 28/Jul/2024 15:40:06