Anatomically correct sharknado shark

The name of the pictureThe name of the pictureThe name of the pictureClash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP











up vote
3
down vote

favorite













Raining animals is a rare meteorological phenomenon in which flightless animals fall from the sky. Such occurrences have been reported in many countries throughout history. One hypothesis is that tornadic waterspouts sometimes pick up creatures such as fish or frogs, and carry them for up to several miles.




Imagine a world where raining animals are a regular occurrence - say, most days on the tropical rainy season. Could a marine apex predator adapt to such a meteorological feature in order to take advantage of it, in terms of mid-air feeding? If so, what adaptations would it need, and what would it look like?



I don't expect that a shark which evolved for this would necessarily still look exactly like a real world shark, so a sharky final appearance is not a requirement for answers. Other marine predators such as orcas, barracudas and mantas are also valid candidates for this niche, and don't need to look exactly like the ones from pur world's after the necessary evolutiomary adaptations.



Being directly threatening to humans is also not required (I think the tornadoes are already enough of a menace).










share|improve this question



















  • 7




    This might be the good-dumbest question I've seen on the site.
    – kingledion
    2 hours ago










  • How do you imagine your world ? similar to Earth or more watery ? I don't think a marine predator falling more than a few meters from water could survive to do it again...
    – Don Pablo
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    @DonPablo Earth-like. Even on Earth waters cover around 3/4 of the planet's surface, so the fish should be ok in most cases.
    – Renan
    2 hours ago






  • 2




    From a science based perspective, nothing would adapt to live in a shark nado unless the shark nado was a critical part of its life. I see lots of problems with the shark nado. Like being lifted into the air then falling (onto the ground, surface tension of water?). Shark nado seems like a one way trip ending in death, so nothing would evolve to be part of it.
    – Tyler S. Loeper
    2 hours ago














up vote
3
down vote

favorite













Raining animals is a rare meteorological phenomenon in which flightless animals fall from the sky. Such occurrences have been reported in many countries throughout history. One hypothesis is that tornadic waterspouts sometimes pick up creatures such as fish or frogs, and carry them for up to several miles.




Imagine a world where raining animals are a regular occurrence - say, most days on the tropical rainy season. Could a marine apex predator adapt to such a meteorological feature in order to take advantage of it, in terms of mid-air feeding? If so, what adaptations would it need, and what would it look like?



I don't expect that a shark which evolved for this would necessarily still look exactly like a real world shark, so a sharky final appearance is not a requirement for answers. Other marine predators such as orcas, barracudas and mantas are also valid candidates for this niche, and don't need to look exactly like the ones from pur world's after the necessary evolutiomary adaptations.



Being directly threatening to humans is also not required (I think the tornadoes are already enough of a menace).










share|improve this question



















  • 7




    This might be the good-dumbest question I've seen on the site.
    – kingledion
    2 hours ago










  • How do you imagine your world ? similar to Earth or more watery ? I don't think a marine predator falling more than a few meters from water could survive to do it again...
    – Don Pablo
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    @DonPablo Earth-like. Even on Earth waters cover around 3/4 of the planet's surface, so the fish should be ok in most cases.
    – Renan
    2 hours ago






  • 2




    From a science based perspective, nothing would adapt to live in a shark nado unless the shark nado was a critical part of its life. I see lots of problems with the shark nado. Like being lifted into the air then falling (onto the ground, surface tension of water?). Shark nado seems like a one way trip ending in death, so nothing would evolve to be part of it.
    – Tyler S. Loeper
    2 hours ago












up vote
3
down vote

favorite









up vote
3
down vote

favorite












Raining animals is a rare meteorological phenomenon in which flightless animals fall from the sky. Such occurrences have been reported in many countries throughout history. One hypothesis is that tornadic waterspouts sometimes pick up creatures such as fish or frogs, and carry them for up to several miles.




Imagine a world where raining animals are a regular occurrence - say, most days on the tropical rainy season. Could a marine apex predator adapt to such a meteorological feature in order to take advantage of it, in terms of mid-air feeding? If so, what adaptations would it need, and what would it look like?



I don't expect that a shark which evolved for this would necessarily still look exactly like a real world shark, so a sharky final appearance is not a requirement for answers. Other marine predators such as orcas, barracudas and mantas are also valid candidates for this niche, and don't need to look exactly like the ones from pur world's after the necessary evolutiomary adaptations.



Being directly threatening to humans is also not required (I think the tornadoes are already enough of a menace).










share|improve this question
















Raining animals is a rare meteorological phenomenon in which flightless animals fall from the sky. Such occurrences have been reported in many countries throughout history. One hypothesis is that tornadic waterspouts sometimes pick up creatures such as fish or frogs, and carry them for up to several miles.




Imagine a world where raining animals are a regular occurrence - say, most days on the tropical rainy season. Could a marine apex predator adapt to such a meteorological feature in order to take advantage of it, in terms of mid-air feeding? If so, what adaptations would it need, and what would it look like?



I don't expect that a shark which evolved for this would necessarily still look exactly like a real world shark, so a sharky final appearance is not a requirement for answers. Other marine predators such as orcas, barracudas and mantas are also valid candidates for this niche, and don't need to look exactly like the ones from pur world's after the necessary evolutiomary adaptations.



Being directly threatening to humans is also not required (I think the tornadoes are already enough of a menace).







science-based reality-check biology creature-design






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 2 hours ago

























asked 2 hours ago









Renan

33.2k873169




33.2k873169







  • 7




    This might be the good-dumbest question I've seen on the site.
    – kingledion
    2 hours ago










  • How do you imagine your world ? similar to Earth or more watery ? I don't think a marine predator falling more than a few meters from water could survive to do it again...
    – Don Pablo
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    @DonPablo Earth-like. Even on Earth waters cover around 3/4 of the planet's surface, so the fish should be ok in most cases.
    – Renan
    2 hours ago






  • 2




    From a science based perspective, nothing would adapt to live in a shark nado unless the shark nado was a critical part of its life. I see lots of problems with the shark nado. Like being lifted into the air then falling (onto the ground, surface tension of water?). Shark nado seems like a one way trip ending in death, so nothing would evolve to be part of it.
    – Tyler S. Loeper
    2 hours ago












  • 7




    This might be the good-dumbest question I've seen on the site.
    – kingledion
    2 hours ago










  • How do you imagine your world ? similar to Earth or more watery ? I don't think a marine predator falling more than a few meters from water could survive to do it again...
    – Don Pablo
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    @DonPablo Earth-like. Even on Earth waters cover around 3/4 of the planet's surface, so the fish should be ok in most cases.
    – Renan
    2 hours ago






  • 2




    From a science based perspective, nothing would adapt to live in a shark nado unless the shark nado was a critical part of its life. I see lots of problems with the shark nado. Like being lifted into the air then falling (onto the ground, surface tension of water?). Shark nado seems like a one way trip ending in death, so nothing would evolve to be part of it.
    – Tyler S. Loeper
    2 hours ago







7




7




This might be the good-dumbest question I've seen on the site.
– kingledion
2 hours ago




This might be the good-dumbest question I've seen on the site.
– kingledion
2 hours ago












How do you imagine your world ? similar to Earth or more watery ? I don't think a marine predator falling more than a few meters from water could survive to do it again...
– Don Pablo
2 hours ago




How do you imagine your world ? similar to Earth or more watery ? I don't think a marine predator falling more than a few meters from water could survive to do it again...
– Don Pablo
2 hours ago




1




1




@DonPablo Earth-like. Even on Earth waters cover around 3/4 of the planet's surface, so the fish should be ok in most cases.
– Renan
2 hours ago




@DonPablo Earth-like. Even on Earth waters cover around 3/4 of the planet's surface, so the fish should be ok in most cases.
– Renan
2 hours ago




2




2




From a science based perspective, nothing would adapt to live in a shark nado unless the shark nado was a critical part of its life. I see lots of problems with the shark nado. Like being lifted into the air then falling (onto the ground, surface tension of water?). Shark nado seems like a one way trip ending in death, so nothing would evolve to be part of it.
– Tyler S. Loeper
2 hours ago




From a science based perspective, nothing would adapt to live in a shark nado unless the shark nado was a critical part of its life. I see lots of problems with the shark nado. Like being lifted into the air then falling (onto the ground, surface tension of water?). Shark nado seems like a one way trip ending in death, so nothing would evolve to be part of it.
– Tyler S. Loeper
2 hours ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
3
down vote













If the sharknado has to feed on things suspended in an air stream, it means it has to be able to collect as much as possible in the shortest time as possible.



It would make sense that their mouth evolved into an ibrid of a mist net and the mouth of the basking shark



basking shark



or the megamouth shark



megamouth shark



I assume the mouth would need a more pronounced net structure when fully opened, so that the drag would not blow the sharknado away while attempting to feed, something like a butterfly net.



OT: thanks for the attempt of putting some legitimization to the entire sharknado thing.






share|improve this answer



























    up vote
    2
    down vote













    No adaptations necessary



    enter image description here



    When a waterspout delivers a flying buffet, the apex predator sharks wait at the bottom for the good stuff to come to them. By jumping out of the water, they prey on animals in the air that have no opportunity to flee. Water based propulsion systems don't work in the air, so the food is going to go where gravity directs it, which is hopefully into a shark's mouth.



    Actually, they probably need different eyes



    If you are going to lurk under water, and then jump up to catch a helpless falling meal, you need to



    a. See into the air



    b. Have good distance vision



    Fish eyes are generally more convex than land animal eyes, because of the differing focusing properties of water. A jumping shark needs eyes more similar to that of a land animal so it can focus on a falling target tens of meters above the water's surface, while still submerged.



    Distance vision is a function of binocular vision. A jumping shark will want its eyes closer together in its head.






    share|improve this answer


















    • 1




      Yeah but they can't fly up a tornado.
      – Renan
      2 hours ago






    • 1




      @Renan Okay, I made it a real answer.
      – kingledion
      2 hours ago

















    up vote
    0
    down vote













    Falling, yes, but falling with style



    When falling, if you want to catch preys, You need mainly 2 things:



    1. Something to catch preys: arms, nets, big mouth, tail... you name it.

    2. Something to steer your fall: Falling straight minimize the probability to encounter a prey.

    Some animals can decide where they will head to when falling. Flying squirrels, humans with wingsuits, or... Snakes.

    Astonishingly, some snakes can glide through air. Namely the Chrysopelea (you can see it here). Snakes are also good at being underwater, so it could be totally possible to have a mix between a gliding snake and a marine one.



    BUT

    Snakes are good at catching things. Well, at catching ONE thing at a time. But we want our falling predator to be able to seize all the preys in his reach.

    What looks like a snake if the snake had multiple arms ?

    An OCTOPUS
    enter image description here
    source



    Moreover, octopuses are crazy good at controlling their bodies. With a little training and once it conquer its fear of heights, it could glide through the sky, following falling, frightened, desperate fishes, whom the last vision would be a terrifying cephalopod twirling toward them.






    share|improve this answer




















      Your Answer




      StackExchange.ifUsing("editor", function ()
      return StackExchange.using("mathjaxEditing", function ()
      StackExchange.MarkdownEditor.creationCallbacks.add(function (editor, postfix)
      StackExchange.mathjaxEditing.prepareWmdForMathJax(editor, postfix, [["$", "$"], ["\\(","\\)"]]);
      );
      );
      , "mathjax-editing");

      StackExchange.ready(function()
      var channelOptions =
      tags: "".split(" "),
      id: "579"
      ;
      initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

      StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
      // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
      if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
      StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
      createEditor();
      );

      else
      createEditor();

      );

      function createEditor()
      StackExchange.prepareEditor(
      heartbeatType: 'answer',
      convertImagesToLinks: false,
      noModals: false,
      showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
      reputationToPostImages: null,
      bindNavPrevention: true,
      postfix: "",
      noCode: true, onDemand: true,
      discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
      ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
      );



      );













       

      draft saved


      draft discarded


















      StackExchange.ready(
      function ()
      StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fworldbuilding.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f125602%2fanatomically-correct-sharknado-shark%23new-answer', 'question_page');

      );

      Post as a guest






























      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes








      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes








      up vote
      3
      down vote













      If the sharknado has to feed on things suspended in an air stream, it means it has to be able to collect as much as possible in the shortest time as possible.



      It would make sense that their mouth evolved into an ibrid of a mist net and the mouth of the basking shark



      basking shark



      or the megamouth shark



      megamouth shark



      I assume the mouth would need a more pronounced net structure when fully opened, so that the drag would not blow the sharknado away while attempting to feed, something like a butterfly net.



      OT: thanks for the attempt of putting some legitimization to the entire sharknado thing.






      share|improve this answer
























        up vote
        3
        down vote













        If the sharknado has to feed on things suspended in an air stream, it means it has to be able to collect as much as possible in the shortest time as possible.



        It would make sense that their mouth evolved into an ibrid of a mist net and the mouth of the basking shark



        basking shark



        or the megamouth shark



        megamouth shark



        I assume the mouth would need a more pronounced net structure when fully opened, so that the drag would not blow the sharknado away while attempting to feed, something like a butterfly net.



        OT: thanks for the attempt of putting some legitimization to the entire sharknado thing.






        share|improve this answer






















          up vote
          3
          down vote










          up vote
          3
          down vote









          If the sharknado has to feed on things suspended in an air stream, it means it has to be able to collect as much as possible in the shortest time as possible.



          It would make sense that their mouth evolved into an ibrid of a mist net and the mouth of the basking shark



          basking shark



          or the megamouth shark



          megamouth shark



          I assume the mouth would need a more pronounced net structure when fully opened, so that the drag would not blow the sharknado away while attempting to feed, something like a butterfly net.



          OT: thanks for the attempt of putting some legitimization to the entire sharknado thing.






          share|improve this answer












          If the sharknado has to feed on things suspended in an air stream, it means it has to be able to collect as much as possible in the shortest time as possible.



          It would make sense that their mouth evolved into an ibrid of a mist net and the mouth of the basking shark



          basking shark



          or the megamouth shark



          megamouth shark



          I assume the mouth would need a more pronounced net structure when fully opened, so that the drag would not blow the sharknado away while attempting to feed, something like a butterfly net.



          OT: thanks for the attempt of putting some legitimization to the entire sharknado thing.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 2 hours ago









          L.Dutch♦

          63.5k18150300




          63.5k18150300




















              up vote
              2
              down vote













              No adaptations necessary



              enter image description here



              When a waterspout delivers a flying buffet, the apex predator sharks wait at the bottom for the good stuff to come to them. By jumping out of the water, they prey on animals in the air that have no opportunity to flee. Water based propulsion systems don't work in the air, so the food is going to go where gravity directs it, which is hopefully into a shark's mouth.



              Actually, they probably need different eyes



              If you are going to lurk under water, and then jump up to catch a helpless falling meal, you need to



              a. See into the air



              b. Have good distance vision



              Fish eyes are generally more convex than land animal eyes, because of the differing focusing properties of water. A jumping shark needs eyes more similar to that of a land animal so it can focus on a falling target tens of meters above the water's surface, while still submerged.



              Distance vision is a function of binocular vision. A jumping shark will want its eyes closer together in its head.






              share|improve this answer


















              • 1




                Yeah but they can't fly up a tornado.
                – Renan
                2 hours ago






              • 1




                @Renan Okay, I made it a real answer.
                – kingledion
                2 hours ago














              up vote
              2
              down vote













              No adaptations necessary



              enter image description here



              When a waterspout delivers a flying buffet, the apex predator sharks wait at the bottom for the good stuff to come to them. By jumping out of the water, they prey on animals in the air that have no opportunity to flee. Water based propulsion systems don't work in the air, so the food is going to go where gravity directs it, which is hopefully into a shark's mouth.



              Actually, they probably need different eyes



              If you are going to lurk under water, and then jump up to catch a helpless falling meal, you need to



              a. See into the air



              b. Have good distance vision



              Fish eyes are generally more convex than land animal eyes, because of the differing focusing properties of water. A jumping shark needs eyes more similar to that of a land animal so it can focus on a falling target tens of meters above the water's surface, while still submerged.



              Distance vision is a function of binocular vision. A jumping shark will want its eyes closer together in its head.






              share|improve this answer


















              • 1




                Yeah but they can't fly up a tornado.
                – Renan
                2 hours ago






              • 1




                @Renan Okay, I made it a real answer.
                – kingledion
                2 hours ago












              up vote
              2
              down vote










              up vote
              2
              down vote









              No adaptations necessary



              enter image description here



              When a waterspout delivers a flying buffet, the apex predator sharks wait at the bottom for the good stuff to come to them. By jumping out of the water, they prey on animals in the air that have no opportunity to flee. Water based propulsion systems don't work in the air, so the food is going to go where gravity directs it, which is hopefully into a shark's mouth.



              Actually, they probably need different eyes



              If you are going to lurk under water, and then jump up to catch a helpless falling meal, you need to



              a. See into the air



              b. Have good distance vision



              Fish eyes are generally more convex than land animal eyes, because of the differing focusing properties of water. A jumping shark needs eyes more similar to that of a land animal so it can focus on a falling target tens of meters above the water's surface, while still submerged.



              Distance vision is a function of binocular vision. A jumping shark will want its eyes closer together in its head.






              share|improve this answer














              No adaptations necessary



              enter image description here



              When a waterspout delivers a flying buffet, the apex predator sharks wait at the bottom for the good stuff to come to them. By jumping out of the water, they prey on animals in the air that have no opportunity to flee. Water based propulsion systems don't work in the air, so the food is going to go where gravity directs it, which is hopefully into a shark's mouth.



              Actually, they probably need different eyes



              If you are going to lurk under water, and then jump up to catch a helpless falling meal, you need to



              a. See into the air



              b. Have good distance vision



              Fish eyes are generally more convex than land animal eyes, because of the differing focusing properties of water. A jumping shark needs eyes more similar to that of a land animal so it can focus on a falling target tens of meters above the water's surface, while still submerged.



              Distance vision is a function of binocular vision. A jumping shark will want its eyes closer together in its head.







              share|improve this answer














              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer








              edited 2 hours ago

























              answered 2 hours ago









              kingledion

              66.2k22217378




              66.2k22217378







              • 1




                Yeah but they can't fly up a tornado.
                – Renan
                2 hours ago






              • 1




                @Renan Okay, I made it a real answer.
                – kingledion
                2 hours ago












              • 1




                Yeah but they can't fly up a tornado.
                – Renan
                2 hours ago






              • 1




                @Renan Okay, I made it a real answer.
                – kingledion
                2 hours ago







              1




              1




              Yeah but they can't fly up a tornado.
              – Renan
              2 hours ago




              Yeah but they can't fly up a tornado.
              – Renan
              2 hours ago




              1




              1




              @Renan Okay, I made it a real answer.
              – kingledion
              2 hours ago




              @Renan Okay, I made it a real answer.
              – kingledion
              2 hours ago










              up vote
              0
              down vote













              Falling, yes, but falling with style



              When falling, if you want to catch preys, You need mainly 2 things:



              1. Something to catch preys: arms, nets, big mouth, tail... you name it.

              2. Something to steer your fall: Falling straight minimize the probability to encounter a prey.

              Some animals can decide where they will head to when falling. Flying squirrels, humans with wingsuits, or... Snakes.

              Astonishingly, some snakes can glide through air. Namely the Chrysopelea (you can see it here). Snakes are also good at being underwater, so it could be totally possible to have a mix between a gliding snake and a marine one.



              BUT

              Snakes are good at catching things. Well, at catching ONE thing at a time. But we want our falling predator to be able to seize all the preys in his reach.

              What looks like a snake if the snake had multiple arms ?

              An OCTOPUS
              enter image description here
              source



              Moreover, octopuses are crazy good at controlling their bodies. With a little training and once it conquer its fear of heights, it could glide through the sky, following falling, frightened, desperate fishes, whom the last vision would be a terrifying cephalopod twirling toward them.






              share|improve this answer
























                up vote
                0
                down vote













                Falling, yes, but falling with style



                When falling, if you want to catch preys, You need mainly 2 things:



                1. Something to catch preys: arms, nets, big mouth, tail... you name it.

                2. Something to steer your fall: Falling straight minimize the probability to encounter a prey.

                Some animals can decide where they will head to when falling. Flying squirrels, humans with wingsuits, or... Snakes.

                Astonishingly, some snakes can glide through air. Namely the Chrysopelea (you can see it here). Snakes are also good at being underwater, so it could be totally possible to have a mix between a gliding snake and a marine one.



                BUT

                Snakes are good at catching things. Well, at catching ONE thing at a time. But we want our falling predator to be able to seize all the preys in his reach.

                What looks like a snake if the snake had multiple arms ?

                An OCTOPUS
                enter image description here
                source



                Moreover, octopuses are crazy good at controlling their bodies. With a little training and once it conquer its fear of heights, it could glide through the sky, following falling, frightened, desperate fishes, whom the last vision would be a terrifying cephalopod twirling toward them.






                share|improve this answer






















                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote









                  Falling, yes, but falling with style



                  When falling, if you want to catch preys, You need mainly 2 things:



                  1. Something to catch preys: arms, nets, big mouth, tail... you name it.

                  2. Something to steer your fall: Falling straight minimize the probability to encounter a prey.

                  Some animals can decide where they will head to when falling. Flying squirrels, humans with wingsuits, or... Snakes.

                  Astonishingly, some snakes can glide through air. Namely the Chrysopelea (you can see it here). Snakes are also good at being underwater, so it could be totally possible to have a mix between a gliding snake and a marine one.



                  BUT

                  Snakes are good at catching things. Well, at catching ONE thing at a time. But we want our falling predator to be able to seize all the preys in his reach.

                  What looks like a snake if the snake had multiple arms ?

                  An OCTOPUS
                  enter image description here
                  source



                  Moreover, octopuses are crazy good at controlling their bodies. With a little training and once it conquer its fear of heights, it could glide through the sky, following falling, frightened, desperate fishes, whom the last vision would be a terrifying cephalopod twirling toward them.






                  share|improve this answer












                  Falling, yes, but falling with style



                  When falling, if you want to catch preys, You need mainly 2 things:



                  1. Something to catch preys: arms, nets, big mouth, tail... you name it.

                  2. Something to steer your fall: Falling straight minimize the probability to encounter a prey.

                  Some animals can decide where they will head to when falling. Flying squirrels, humans with wingsuits, or... Snakes.

                  Astonishingly, some snakes can glide through air. Namely the Chrysopelea (you can see it here). Snakes are also good at being underwater, so it could be totally possible to have a mix between a gliding snake and a marine one.



                  BUT

                  Snakes are good at catching things. Well, at catching ONE thing at a time. But we want our falling predator to be able to seize all the preys in his reach.

                  What looks like a snake if the snake had multiple arms ?

                  An OCTOPUS
                  enter image description here
                  source



                  Moreover, octopuses are crazy good at controlling their bodies. With a little training and once it conquer its fear of heights, it could glide through the sky, following falling, frightened, desperate fishes, whom the last vision would be a terrifying cephalopod twirling toward them.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered 16 mins ago









                  Don Pablo

                  70719




                  70719



























                       

                      draft saved


                      draft discarded















































                       


                      draft saved


                      draft discarded














                      StackExchange.ready(
                      function ()
                      StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fworldbuilding.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f125602%2fanatomically-correct-sharknado-shark%23new-answer', 'question_page');

                      );

                      Post as a guest













































































                      Comments

                      Popular posts from this blog

                      Long meetings (6-7 hours a day): Being “babysat” by supervisor

                      Is the Concept of Multiple Fantasy Races Scientifically Flawed? [closed]

                      Confectionery