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Thursday, March 20, 2014

DIVER PUTS SHARK INTO A TRANCE - DON'T TRY THIS ON YOUR NEXT OCEAN SWIM

The shark whisperer: Diver puts shark into a TRANCE by stroking its nose (and then balances it in the palm of his hand)
  • Divers in the Bahamas have been photographed putting a Caribbean reef shark into a state of tonic immobility, which is like a trance
  • They claim to have done this by stroking the receptors on the shark’s nose, which causes it to stay still and relaxed for up to 15 minutes
  • Caribbean reef sharks can measure 10ft (three metres) long and have been known to occasionally attack humans
Tonic immobility is a natural state of paralysis which animals enter but scientists are not entirely sure why they do it.  Experts think 'animal hypnosis' is related to mating in sharks and is used by other creatures to avoid predators by 'playing dead' and blending in with surroundings.  It can be induced without causing any apparent stress to animals, such as stroking a certain place on a lobster's shell.
Sharks can remain in a tonic state for up to 15 minutes. Some species are 'hypnotised' when they are turned upside down.  He claims to have done this my stroking the receptors on the shark’s nose
 
Read more and see pictures and video
 
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