Tuna use sharks as back scratchers despite risk of being eaten • Hacker News Board

A tuna is a seriously fast fish. Note that they rub at the back end of the shark, which is the obvious place to go. If the shark gets annoyed the tuna can get away rapidly and get a very decent head start before the shark has turned and got going.

The sharks are probably not bothered about being used for grooming because it is reassuring to have your lunch check in and say hi occasionally.

6,000 camera deployments of two to three hours each. 117,000 individuals seen from 261 species. 106 rubbing behaviour samples spotted. The article doesn't quite get the rest of the stats sorted out, giving two percentages. Let's say there were roughly 50 tuna on shark rubbing sessions.

Some tuna are nails and probably impressing the girly tuna!

Re: Tuna use sharks as back scratchers despite risk of being eaten

#16

Post by DavidAdams » Sun, Oct 23, 2022, 9:54 PM UTC

didgeoridoo wrote: post #2

Quoted post unavailable.

That stupid smooth sharks meme has been taking up space in my brain all these years that could be used for remembering my wedding anniversary, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Re: Tuna use sharks as back scratchers despite risk of being eaten

#17

Post by girvo » Sun, Oct 23, 2022, 10:16 PM UTC

didgeoridoo wrote: post #2

Quoted post unavailable.

This is HN, rather than Reddit, so the replies are basically all serious from what I can see. One of the “dangers” of memeing on here I think

Re: Tuna use sharks as back scratchers despite risk of being eaten

#18

Post by telman17 » Sun, Oct 23, 2022, 10:19 PM UTC

unaindz wrote: post #13

didgeoridoo wrote: post #2

Quoted post unavailable.

I do scuba diving as a hobby and I have touched a few sharks. Every one of them had rough skin, just like sandpaper actually.

Yikes! That would terrify me. Do the sharks seem bothered by it?

Re: Tuna use sharks as back scratchers despite risk of being eaten

#19

Post by greggsy » Sun, Oct 23, 2022, 10:21 PM UTC

nvr219 wrote: post #10

An allegory of partnering with big tech companies.

Except the Tuna have are usually able to get away unharmed after showing their hand to the shark.

Re: Tuna use sharks as back scratchers despite risk of being eaten

#20

Post by greggsy » Sun, Oct 23, 2022, 10:22 PM UTC

girvo wrote: post #17

didgeoridoo wrote: post #2

Quoted post unavailable.

This is HN, rather than Reddit, so the replies are basically all serious from what I can see. One of the “dangers” of memeing on here I think

It’s the main reason why I spend more time here than Reddit. You’re almost guaranteed to get some thoughtful responses instead of the usual memes or hilariously witty and clever quips.