Blue Sharks Have the Ability to Change Color

Just a few days ago, scientists found out that blue sharks can change color. Scientists at the City University of Hong Kong, looking at what gives fish this ability, found it’s down to tiny nanostructures in their skin, which act as blue reflectors.

The sharks can alter the texture of their skin so that they can reflect the light differently. The team says a multi-functional design like this “as far as we know, hasn’t been seen before”.

Professor Dean from the City University of Hong Kong said: “These components are packed into separate cells, reminiscent of bags filled with mirrors and bags with black absorbers, but kept in close association so they work together. When you combine these materials, you also create a powerful ability to produce and change colour.”

This technology on the skin of these sharks could be the game changer for them. This allows them to blend into their environment like a chameleon.

However, to find this, they had to carefully look into the fin of the shark through a microscope. They then used simulations on a computer to recreate and understand the structures under different circumstances.

Dr Dean proceeded to add that, “Very fine scale alterations resulting from something as simple as humidity or water pressure changes could alter body color, which then shapes how the animal camouflages or counter-shades in its natural environment.” This means that scale alterations are the key to this magical abilities that these sharks possess.

Dr. Kamska, a post-doctoral researcher in the lab of Dr. Mason Dean, said: “These components are packed into separate cells, reminiscent of bags filled with mirrors and bags with black absorbers, but kept in close association so they work together.”

These findings that these important scientists have noted symbolize that research in this field could help us develop nanotech skills in the future.