News Life

Shark’s skin adds forward boost

A covering of sharp scales helps propel the creatures

By Rebecca Cheung

- More than 2 years ago

A shark’s birthday suit not only fits perfectly, but is very fashion forward. Tiny teethlike ridges covering sharks’ skin appear to give the fish a push forward in water, a new study finds.

SHARK PROPELLERS The denticles of the bonnethead shark (Sphyrna tiburo), shown here, are about 100 microns in diameter, the thickness of a piece of printer paper.