What physical tool allows the zebra shark to detect prey hidden within the dark, sandy substrate?
Answer
The barbel, a whisker-like appendage in front of the snout.
The zebra shark's success in locating deeply buried or hidden prey relies heavily on tactile and chemosensory input provided by its barbels. These appendages, which resemble whiskers and are located near the front of the snout, are instrumental in probing the sand and crevices of the reef floor. They detect chemical signatures or physical disturbances caused by small invertebrates burrowing beneath the surface. This sensory guidance system is essential because the environment where they hunt—the dark seafloor—often limits visual confirmation, making the barbels the primary tool for locating the next meal before the actual capture sequence begins.
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