Where Do Fish Go for Scratch Relief? Their Predators

Where Do Fish Go for Scratch Relief? Their Predators
Researchers find that fish have creative solution of relieving an itch without any hands or tools. Mario Tama/Getty Images
Jessie Zhang
Updated:

Marine biologists have discovered that when fish are faced with the dilemma of developing an itch offshore in the open ocean, yet with no hands, plants, or animals to help them scratch it, they have a curious solution of seeking out their predators—sharks.

Viewing thousands of hours of video footage, Australian marine ecologist Chris Thompson and marine biologist Jessica Meeuwig found that fish can usually scratch their itch against rocks, corals and animals like turtles, but in their absence, they found the large surfaces of sharks to be the most suitable texture for relieving their itch.

Jessie Zhang
Jessie Zhang
Author
Jessie Zhang is a reporter based in Sydney, Australia, covering news on health and science.
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