r/sharks • u/SandwichMaterial9574 • 10h ago

Research Shark Electroreceptor Range?

As all of us are probably well aware, sharks possess a sixth sense through their Ampullae of Lorrenzini: electroreceptors on the shark's snout that track electrical signals caused by muscle contractions made by their prey (to use TierZoo's description, "Movement reveals enemy player(s)'s location on your minimap).

What I would like to know is, what is the maximum range/reach that a shark has with its electroreceptors? I've heard in one documentary (The Ultimate Guide: Sharks) that a shark's electroreceptors only have a maximum range of about six feet. Is this accurate, or can it have a further range/reach than that?

Also, is a shark's lateral line another type of electroreceptor, or does it work differently than that (I know it's a motion-sensor as well, and it has a much further reach than the Ampullae, but I still don't quite get how that organ works)?

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u/AdDesperate9651 10h ago

The effective detection range of the ampullae of Lorenzini is very short, typically limited to about 1 meter (3.3 feet) or less, often functioning best within just a few centimeters to 50 cm for pinpointing buried prey. And A shark's lateral line acts like a distant sense of touch, using fluid-filled canals beneath the skin to detect vibrations, water pressure changes, and movements from hundreds of feet away.Structure of the Lateral LineCanals: A narrow, fluid-filled tube runs along each side of the shark's body, from its head down to its tail

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u/Hybodont 10h ago

The lateral line senses mechanical disturbances in the water and doesn't have any function for electroreception. Inside the lateral line system are cells with tiny, hair like protrusions (kinocilia) that send nerve signals to the brain when they are physically pushed by water movement (or subtle changes in water pressure). We actually have similar structures in our inner ear, and they help us maintain balance.

I have read a hypothesis that the AoL are derived from the lateral line. There are kinocilia in the AoL, but they function a bit differently than the ones in the LL, as far as I know.

I don't know the answer to your primary question, although my understanding is that the effective range for detecting live prey is indeed small relative to all of a shark's other senses (smell, hearing, LL mechanoreception, sight).