In the Philippines, just off Malapascua Island, is a little-known seamount — a mountain arising from the seabed that doesn’t reach the surface. What separates this seamount from any other in the world? It is the only place on the planet where there are daily sightings of thresher sharks.
Thresher sharks are known for, and easily recognised by, their exceptionally long tails. There are three species of threshers and they belong to the family of mackerel sharks. Members of this family are among the fastest swimmers in our oceans. Threshers spend their time at depth (in excess of 200 m), using their large eyes to complement their plethora of other sensory tools, mostly to hunt for fish. They use their speed and agility to approach schooling fish, then wield their tail like axes to cut into the school before consuming the stunned fish.
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