Rare Peaceful Gathering of Sharks Offers Insight into Scavenging Behavior and Social Dynamics.

In an unusual and scientifically significant marine event, researchers have documented a rare instance of tiger sharks and oceanic whitetip sharks peacefully scavenging together on a single carcass. The discovery, reported in Frontiers in Fish Science, offers new perspectives on shark ecology, behavior, and interspecies interactions.

"To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of tiger sharks and oceanic whitetip sharks jointly and peacefully feeding on a carcass," stated Dr. Molly Scott, lead author and marine scientist at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. "These two species typically inhabit very different environments and are seldom seen together in the wild."

Oceanic whitetip sharks, listed as a threatened species, are highly migratory and prefer the open ocean. These solitary sharks, which grow to about two meters in length, are rarely studied up close due to their elusive nature. However, they tend to seasonally gather near Hawaii’s Big Island in the warmer months. Tiger sharks, on the other hand, are larger—ranging from three to four meters—and reside in coastal waters around the island year-round.

In April 2024, a tourist vessel spotted a severely decomposed carcass drifting roughly 10 kilometers off the Big Island's western coast. Tour operators and photographers entered the water and were able to observe a feeding event that lasted an impressive 8.5 hours. During this time, at least nine oceanic whitetip sharks and five tiger sharks were seen feeding intermittently.

Despite the limited size and deteriorated condition of the carcass, the event remained surprisingly orderly. "We didn’t see any signs of aggression either within or between the species," said Dr. Scott. "Given the number of sharks and the small amount of food available, I expected to witness some competitive behavior. Instead, there appeared to be a well-understood social hierarchy."

Larger tiger sharks appeared to dominate the feeding site. All were observed feeding directly from the carcass, with the exception of one smaller female. Among the oceanic whitetips, only the two largest individuals managed to feed directly, while smaller sharks remained below the surface, collecting scraps that floated away.

Researchers speculate that size and timing played a role in feeding access. “The female tiger shark may have been more hesitant or simply less dominant due to her size,” said Scott. “It's also possible that she arrived after the others had already established a hierarchy, making it harder for her to join in.”

The brief duration of the event—ending when the carcass could no longer be found the next day—did not limit its scientific value. The large number of sharks drawn to the scene, despite the limited food, suggests complex social interactions and opportunistic behavior even among species not known for scavenging.

In addition to the ecological significance, the event also challenged popular perceptions of shark behavior. With two to three humans in the water filming for the entire 8.5-hour period, no aggressive or dangerous interactions were reported.

"This kind of peaceful coexistence between multiple shark species—and with humans present—helps shift the narrative around sharks," Scott concluded. "They are far from the mindless predators often portrayed in media. Events like this help us understand their social intelligence and ecological importance."

This rare observation opens new avenues for studying shark interactions and underscores the need for continued research on marine species and their behaviors in shared ecosystems.

Source:https://phys.org/news/2025-05-sharks-rarely-peacefully-scientists-shark.html

This is non-financial/medical advice and made using AI so could be wrong.