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isisis t1_j79mkzl wrote

Reply to comment by tangcameo in Diving with a shark by chemistrynerd1994

Sometimes. Sharks have sensitive electrical receptors on the head. Many have them just under the snout, though I believe tiger sharks (what this is) have more receptors on the sides of the head. Touching the receptors can overload them enough that they kind of just stop whatever it is they're doing. If I'm incorrect, hopefully someone can help me out here.

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thebestyoucan t1_j79nkum wrote

I’ve always read that the nerves on the underside of their head trigger a bite reflex while on top they do not. Which is why they always touch them on top of the nose and never give them chin scritches in these videos.

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SKULL1138 t1_j7arkyd wrote

I’ve had a nurse shark sitting on my lap and I’ve fed it from above. Rule number one, never ever put your hand underneath the nose of the shark or it’s bitten. The second good drops below the snout it’s gone in a flash. Now that’s Nurse sharks who are very docile, I am going to assume this is relatively common in how they’ve evolved those senses.

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isisis t1_j79oi8w wrote

I've never heard of chin receptors. That's interesting!

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thebestyoucan t1_j79pc77 wrote

Tbh I could be full of shit, I am just some guy on the internet after all, but it’s what I’ve read from some other person on the internet.

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