Something Strange Is Happening With These Leopard Sharks

Take the 2023 PBS Survey: to.pbs.org/pbssurvey2023i
Shark scientists Jasmin Graham, A-bel Gong, and Andrew Nosal head over to La Jolla to investigate a natural “shark spa.” This unique part of the California coast is a favorite spot for leopard sharks and guitarfish. After studying them from afar, the team is heading out to check on the health of these elasmobranchs and see if they can gain insight into a new, strange behavior.
All research activities performed under a California Department of Fish and Wildlife Scientific Collecting Permit.
On Sharks Unknown, host Jasmin Graham goes on a mission with shark scientists to investigate mysteries, the wonders of shark migration, explore what warming waters actually mean for these animals, and much more.
Original Production Funding Provided by National Science Foundation - Grant No. 2120006
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
*****
PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to: to.pbs.org/DonateTerra
*****
Subscribe to PBS Terra so you never miss an episode! bit.ly/3mOfd77
And keep up with Sharks Unknown and PBS Terra on:
Facebook: / pbsdigitalstudios
Twitter: / pbsds
Instagram: / pbsterra

[@0xcece]

I’m happy A-bel finally got to see their thesis animal in person, what a moment!

[@ecurewitz]

❤

[@victoriaeads6126]

I can't even imagine how amazing that must feel Yay to them!!!!

[@ebonyblack4563]

I was so happy for that too, you could feel how exciting it was.

[@drewharrison6433]

Came for the sharks. Stayed for the intersectionality. 😊

[@DrejaAndi]

Could the flipping behavior be a way to dislodge buildup of sand from their gills? They swim in shallow water which tends to be sandier than deeper water. There is a limit to their self-cleaning system for the gills.

[@learningwithjasmin6344]

That's a really interesting theory!

[@frankierizzo]

"Thanks for contributing to science." I love that sentiment.

[@johnnyearp52]

The leopard sharks have beautiful patterns. Though they look more like jaguar spots.

[@wisecoconut5]

My hypothesis on the flipping behavior: the shark has a narrow womb relative to the developing fetus. As the fetus grows, flipping "rearranges" the fetus into a position that is better for the fetus and more comfortable foe the mother.

[@prapanthebachelorette6803]

Interesting

[@Reubentheimitator6572]

That's a sensible hypothesis. I hope either the scientists in this video or you may test it one day.

[@EmpressOfExile206]

I doubt it because baby sharks do this same flip behavior lol and its not just this species! You can see a baby lemon shark do it if you look up the viral video "barracuda attacks baby lemon shark" (don't worry its right on the beach and the Cuda misses, almost beaching itself while the baby shark swims away 😂)

[@oscarmedina1303]

I live in San Diego and there are snorkeling tours you can sign up for to "swim with the sharks". Technically, you swim above them but you can clearly see them below you. Cool thing to do. The sharks congregate just past the surf line directly across from the Marine Room restaurant.

[@zolacnomiko]

Ok but why does Andy Nosal look like Rami Malek, what a handsome shark scientist :)

[@mindybee96]

Thank you! I was trying to figure out who he looked like too 😂😂

[@crayonburry]

This episode was so nerdy I loved it!!! Just folks feeling out over their past 3 years obsession

[@kwatson4394]

Y'all better go off!!! This was beautiful and the affirming content was so great!

[@erents1]

So awesome that the water is “clean” enough for these beauties to live close to shore. This only happens in places that have laws and regulations against polluters, as in the beautiful and prosperous state of California!

[@kyrab7914]

Way to use the human to reframe the animal to reframe the human. Also, what are the chances the flip is mating/pregnancy related? Like some lizards will head bob and it looks so funny, almost like a tic but fast.

[@tylercouto3644]

Feels like sharks fighting against a fishing line would throw off more parasites than that little flip. Any thoughts?

[@Mama_lilith]

I’m so glad the personal conversation at the end was left in this video. I think it is important that young people of varying identities see themselves represented and welcome in the science community.

[@unkifa]

Wholesome video, love it. Something so perfect about a scientist getting excited about their science. Really one of the better traits of humanity.

[@QUIRK1019]

Oh my gosh I love this channel so much. The final convo was so sweet and introduced me to an analogy between sharks and marginalized groups that a cishet white man from the 80s wouldn't naturally have come up with. I'm grateful we've come far enough that you felt comfortable sharing that, because like all good analogies, it helps me to better understand both sharks and the experience of not having the American media's most normalized identity. Thank you!

[@prettypic444]

I'm glad the sharks were able to survive the hurriquake

[@zzernathezebra]

Congrats Abel! Glad you got to see your study species! Also, is there any place where, i can keep an eye on this study? I'd love tobsee what comes from it

[@erinmcdonald7781]

I would be interested in that, too. It may be that we have to look them up by name to see if the study is published.

[@miffyfan131]

this is so cool! it's heartwarming to hear about how personal connection can inspire passion for research

[@WireMosasaur]

absolutely in love with this series so far, can't wait for more!!

[@JSalesFilm]

Best video posted on this channel. Great job.

[@ThomasParis]

Oh wow, I didn't expect that conclusion. Would have loved the video anyway but that was a beautiful conclusion. I'm so happy for you!

[@boc120]

Excellent video and interested to see more from these scientists!

[@akhragee]

It was a Black man opening up to me about his experiences that disabused me of the idea that MLK ended "real" racism, which opened the door to me questioning other things I had "learned" in the 80s and 90s, which in turn led to finally accepting that I'm trans. Our struggles are not identical but they're put on us from the same source -- and lest we forget, there are about half a million Black trans Americans dealing with both at once. This is a shared fight, and it's so good to see that acknowledged so clearly.

[@adnannaemaz1989]

What the f&@k…….

[@Sharkhuahua]

Wow this is truly well done! Loved this video, very educational and heart-felt :)

[@joehopfield]

Love this one, both the shark/ecosystem aspects and the broader context representation. Well done, all.

[@MarkusAldawn]

The discussion of sharks and identity at the end is fascinating and one that I actually have heard a little bit from other non-binary people, and one that I can also relate to as a non-binary person. For some reason, there's something about sharks which resonates, and I think it's just as was said in the video: they're not underdiscussed, but they *are* misunderstood for all we hear about them. I also think it's just because they're neat!

[@alveolate]

it's weird that 50 years after Jaws the movie and folks are still wayyy too scared of sharks... then you realise there has been other sensationalised portrayals along the way, with scary sharks being used as a horror trope, and ofc there's shark week etc, sustaining this almost-intentional misinformation train for decades. aaaand you look at the bigotry against discriminated minorities... yup, it's the same misinfo train, just different channels.

[@FAMUCHOLLY]

Excellent video!!

[@mascadadelpantion8018]

So much natural beauty and Beautiful creatures need to be preserved

[@bjdefilippo447]

Love this series!

[@comfortablynumb9342]

A lot of fish turn and "flash", like the sharks in the video. I've been fishin' for over 40 years and seen fish do that many thousands of times, especially bait. But plenty of fish in schools have that behavior.

[@zemtek420]

Does catatonic state set in when lepord sharks are flipped over? ITs only 6 min into the video so far but thought it would be very interesting to pair why leapord sharks do that flipping.

[@ecurewitz]

They may need to be flipped over for more time for a catatonic state to step in

[@zemtek420]

@@ecurewitz from the videos I have seen its pretty much instant. But you could be right. How ever your answer did not answer my question if the speicies is immune to it. If I remember correctly there are a few species of sharks that the flipping over to put them in a catatonic does not work.

[@memyselfandeye8377]

Excellent correlation between rights to be ourselves and sharks!

[@20000lbs_of_Cheese]

love y'all!!

[@thebigoaktree8401]

Always rich and necessary story telling. ❤

[@AquariumWizard]

Willing to bet theses animals will roll when uncomfortable (very pregnant) or flirting (female sharks get flipped for mating)

[@CarlosRojas-pe4uz]

I love your videos,you are so brave to record this

[@jamesdriscoll_tmp1515]

Any paracites on the gills? I didn't see that checked.

[@me0101001000]

Woot, that's my Alma Mater :D

[@dianacryer]

We were body surfing in Oceanside one time and they just kept dragging their bodies against the back of our legs. It was actually kinda cool.

[@Caterfree10]

4:28 they found Tui and La!

[@corlisscrabtree3647]

Thank you

[@EmpressOfExile206]

There is a viral video taken by a person standing right off the beach in like 6-12"in of water; there's a baby lemon shark swimming towards them hugging the beach as close as it can without beaching itself. Right before the baby shark reaches the person it does that *_exact same rolling behavior_* and flashes its white belly out towards open water.. then _mere seconds after_ the baby shark rolls, a *huge* like 5'ft barracuda explodes up into the shallow water just _inches_ from the 📷 person's legs! The baby shark _just barely_ escapes the attack! I assumed "the roll" was a response to the barracuda because it didn't roll until just before the cuda attacked.. So maybe it's a response to some environmental stimulus? 🤔

[@PaulMoses-gj2sq]

Uh, Amdy is adorable!!

[@jamielandis4606]

I think they’re adjusting the fetus. Humans will lay on their side for comfort.

[@BreloomsGarden]

It's very sweet and surprising that they mentioned the trans community. I've learned a lot about it in recent years. If you're reading this, I see you and I love you.

[@Denzanmaru1]

I love the discussion about how minorities are treated negatively portrayed and how you connect to sharks through the way they are negatively portrayed

[@windlessoriginals1150]

🦈

[@mssmarty764]

So, what’s happening with them?

[@RARDingo]

How long is "3.2 feet" is it 3 feet 2 inches ? As scientists you should be using the scientific universally accepted metric measures.

[@kellydalstok8900]

They could put the metric measurements on screen in the edit.

[@noaccount2494]

I loved this and seeing the nonbinary rep!

[@omikrondraconis5708]

Yay for sharks and nonbinary people!

[@beansnrice321]

Bet that shark enjoyed that. XD

[@joweb1320]

Love the end regarding people and how they feel!

[@Brad_Surfs_ILM]

Thank you both for sharing individual stories and the connection to the 🦈 . So that’s why I feel more comfortable as a black surfer around sharks tagging fish around me in the sea more so than being black on land. It’s because we are viewed and demonized the same way…Interesting🧐🤙🏾

[@WallStreet06]

So I am a person who wants to understand everyone. Binary or non. Trans whatever. But honestly just growing up how I did I was always like it’s fine but it is weird. Comparing it to feeling like a shark changes how I see it. I also feel like a shark for different reasons but the common ground is being awesome and misunderstood. I want to be friends with every shark and everyone who feels like a shark.

[@jigold22571]

Enpowering❤

[@ecurewitz]

❤

[@lingyjennifer8399]

10:28 - You both share your experiences being minorities and the way you are both portrayed in the media and I thank you. It should be said that the media of which you speak is primarily R-wing. Just saying that as scientists, we all need to be careful with words (the very thing we demand from media). Again, thank you. Oh, and I love all water life.

[@akhragee]

Right wing sources often make a big public fuss out of racism and transphobia, wearing them proudly as an identity badge; but there's an undercurrent of prejudiced assumptions and "common knowledge" throughout American society which sinks into our minds in early childhood and none of us -- not hard-left progressives, not even Black and trans people -- overcomes that without dedicated analysis and work. Bigotry doesn't have to be conscious and deliberate to cause damage.

[@ollieroo3334]

Another nonbinary trans person here, THANK YOU SO MUCH for the representation & discussion!

[@SCREENDOORONSUBMARIN]

Irl blahaj!

[@jsEMCsquared]

Leopard shark steaks are Amazing! I caught a 4 footer off the rocks!

[@AstheCrowTries]

My trans partner and I (nonbinary) cheered during the end segment (IS THIS WHY BLAHAJ IS OUR MASCOT?). And I'd never heard of a guitar fish before! They're cool critters!

[@lourias]

When the Leopard Sharks roll, are they scraping themselves in the sand to help dislodge the parasites.

[@chippysteve4524]

@6:13 First time on a ladder???

[@DrachenGothik666]

It's a common way for seafarers to scale ladders. I see sailors use ladders that way fairly often. I'm not sure why they do it that way, though. It might have something to do with how flexible chained ladders are. I don't see people use hard ladders (metal or wooden) that way, much.

[@kennethmullen-qe9hg]

I can't help but wonder these sharks thinking of and accepting these folk, sort of as "shark doctors." With their grabbing hold of sharks' claspers or mating organs...as if they were their OWN, and, with very little/no protest coming from the sharks themselves. Yessir! "Shark DOCTORS"! LmMFaO!

[@Hansulf]

10:42 When you see parallels on everything 😂 Wth

[@pencilpauli9442]

IMHO it's totally juvenile and unprofessional for a marine biologist to wave goodbye to the sharks on release. I can speak with total confidence on this matter as I would also wave goodbye and say hello to them. lol They are so lucky to be doing this research and made up for A-Bel to have been able to handle a guitar fish, having missed out through Covid

[@Animalkisser]

I don´t really understand the metaphore about sharks and non binary people...

[@DrachenGothik666]

I can see it easily--the similarity in how both sharks & trans people are treated in media; uniformly shitty.

[@trippyvortex]

Sharks are predators. What's hard to understand about that?

[@RottnRobbie]

As pointed out by several other commenters, there are _many_ issues with this video. But how in the name of all that's Holy did you manage to mess up the name of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography? (@ 5:58 : Title card on the screen reads "SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANO *R* GRAPHY") 🤨 SMH 😪 Some suggestions: 1) fire the editors, 2) quit messing up the science outreach, and... 3) get a new hobby - you're not very good at this.KZbin thing

[@sukmykrok3388]

I was really invested in everything here until they HAD to bring in personal identity... ...like, it's NOT ABOUT YOU!

[@macgonzo]

You don't see the irony of your comment, do you? It's not about YOU, so keep your bigotry to yourself.

[@MrBrokenwrenches]

What a comment to make lol "it's not about you now pay attention to my comment"

[@relwalretep]

The doco is quite literally about them and their work. It's not about you.

[@sukmykrok3388]

@@MrBrokenwrenches "...I learned about sharks, so it's about me and my identity..." That's what that came off as. Killed the video in its tracks, honestly.

[@sukmykrok3388]

@relwalretep EXACTLY! Their WORK! I don't care about their identity, that's personal. Just like I said, "IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU!" I'm glad someone gets it, even though they really don't, lol!

[@az55544]

Why does all of this very personal identity talk need to be brought into an otherwise scientific discussion about sharks? Stop hijacking every conversation!

[@MrBrokenwrenches]

Create your own science KZbin channel and then you can have whatever conversation you like.

[@Sunnydale1909]

❄️

[@HELLO7657]

@@MrBrokenwrenches This is state funded media. Allowing embezzlement of government funds to push your political objectives is just going to subvert the dwindling trust in the institutions even further.

[@DrachenGothik666]

Nothing was "hijacked". It was a 30 second spot of personal reflection at the tail end of a video. Get over yourself.

[@alveolate]

"we don't see any parasites, so maybe the flipping is effective at removing them" "we saw a male guitarfish, so maybe this is a mating ground" these are technically non-falsifiable / non-causal statements. i get that yall are just doing a little trip for a video and not a rigorous scientific study, but such language is kinda misleading imo.

[@pbsterra]

Hi, this is Jasmin Andy and A-bel have been studying this population for years. These statements are based on a long-term study led by Dr. Andy Nosal. We can't show all of the time and effort and data that went into the project in 10 minutes so we summarize it here. Rest assured there are a many scientific papers documenting the science discussed here which you can find by searching Andy Nosal on Google Scholar if you want more details than what we were able to provide here

[@alveolate]

@@pbsterra i'm not a researcher or professional scientist myself, just noticed that the way these claims were said is really casual and may lead to viewers either a) unwittingly becoming used to claims phrased in a non-falsifiable manner, or b) noticing it themselves and thinking less of the scientists. behavioural study is already extremely interpretive, especially when the subjects are animals who can't communicate with us directly. i believe it is important to be rigorous here in representing the state of mind that these researchers usually have: they definitely were not thinking these claims without better evidence, because non-falsifiable claims would get shot down in the academia instantly. to reiterate, i do not think the researchers intentionally made non-falsifiable claims; i believe they were just casually talking about their observations while making a video, and some lines just ended up sounding like that. it's just that this video gets seen by thousands of people interested in behavioural studies and might misunderstand the phrasing in some unfortunate way.

[@cuddlepaws4423]

This was great right up until the 10 minute mark when it suddenly turned into a gender and race documentary where we stopped watching. This is about nature not humans. Stop trying to push your gender agenda and race relations broadcasting. We came to this for the sharks, not your social beliefs.

[@DrachenGothik666]

Humans are part of Nature, & until you realize that, you won't be a mature adult. A-bel was simply relating a part of their own lived experience as a trans person & as a scientist. It's a natural part of being who they are. Representation matters & I appreciated the spot.

[@ryaneylee]

I consider myself a progressive, but what the heck is that last 3 mins? It feels so out of place and off-topic to the video

[@kohort1]

I'm not anti lgbtq anything. But i just think this is taking things to far. Interestingly they id the sharks genitals. But was there any findings that really actually relate to cultural/gender identities... Not really without shoehorning.

[@DrachenGothik666]

A-bel simply made a comment about how sharks tend to be looked down on in the media, & related that to how trans people get looked down on in the media. It tracks. No shoehorning, there, in my mind. It was a simple comment from a scientist who has to face potential discrimination every day. I agree with them, since I'm a non-binary trans man, myself.

[@EmpressOfExile206]

On another note, I have no problem with ppl being themselves but why do Californians in particular have to "wokify" *_everything.._* I live in Seattle, so I know a lot of ppl with non-cis identities but a lot of them you'd never know at first because they don't make it their _entire identity_ and actually have *personalities* unlike Californians 🤦‍♀️

[@angelahoffman119]

Didn't need the last 3 minutes. Apropos of nothing.

[@DrachenGothik666]

It was a simple comment about current events that related to the scientists' actual lived experience. It wasn't apropos of nothing. A-bel has to deal with potential discrimination every day. Sharks do tend to treated poorly in media as "dangerous monsters" & so do trans people. The bigotry right now is off the rails.

[@angelahoffman119]

@@DrachenGothik666 It's off the rails because the topic is forced into absolutely everything. I came to watch a science video, and that part was cool, but then that last bit happened. Sharks don't care about your feelings. Nobody cares about your orientation, and we don't want to be forced into your reality. Do science videos: stay professional. Do a personal vlog: talk all about your scary feelings. Have a good day, ma'am.

[@harrison1671]

Cool sharks, but who wrote, cast, and directed this? 😢 Hopefully, the next one is better.

[@ecurewitz]

Probably by grad students. Their specialty is sharks, not film

[@o_0Maverick0_o]

I am here for sharks not gender politics or race talk...

[@isthislive464]

The end of the video was about their personal connection to sharks... how sharks relate to humanity on a deeper level. It’s amazing to see a scientist have the courage to tell their story while knowing there will be people trolling them in the comments. If you disagree, I encourage to you get your masters in marine biology and find your reason.

[@leadershipvids]

why do we go from sharks to the gender show??? can we stay with the animals please

[@Hklbrries]

That one person talking about their Master’s thesis and studying sharks and being a non-binary trans person and working on their Master’s thesis and oh shut up I want to hear more about the sharks.

[@isthislive464]

Such a rude comment. I’d encourage you to have some compassion learn something. I said this to another person with a similar comment… The end of the video was about their personal connection to sharks... how sharks relate to humanity on a deeper level. If you disagree, then maybe you should get your masters in marine biology, make own video about whatever aspect of it you care about, if anything, and put it up on the internet for free.

[@timhoffnagle]

Just tell us about the sharks and leave out the personal crap about race and gender identity!

[@woodchipgardens9084]

I didn't see any information about deep frying time and temperatures, guitar fish is so tacky, formerly known as Skates and not the same thing as a Ray.

[@brendanmorin9935]

The girl doing the voiceover at the start sounds like she can’t read

[@adnannaemaz1989]

Jeez why can’t we have pretty hosts anymore….

[@kellydalstok8900]

Maybe channels about fashion and makeup are more your thing. Humans come in all shapes and sizes, but maybe you never leave the house and only see your perfect self in the mirror.

[@DrachenGothik666]

Not everything is made to cater to your personal spank bank. If you want that, got to fucking porn hub.

[@ComradeCatpurrnicus]

Great video!