How do zebra sharks breathe while resting motionless on the sandy bottom during the day?

Answer

They actively pump water across their gills using specialized throat muscles.

Zebra sharks possess a specialized capability that allows them to remain completely still while meeting their oxygen requirements. Unlike species that must swim continuously to pass water over the gills (a process known as ram ventilation), the zebra shark employs buccal pumping. This mechanism involves the active contraction and relaxation of specialized muscles in the throat region, which forces a steady stream of water across the gill surfaces. This adaptation is critical to their nocturnal hunting lifestyle, as it permits them to rest during daylight hours without expending the continuous energy required for active movement, thereby conserving energy reserves for foraging under the cover of darkness.

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