Sexy secret life of basking sharks uncovered in Hebrides

Scientists record fin-to-fin contact in gentle giants, most likely part of courtship, for first time

Fin-to-fin synchronised swimming, thought likely to be part of courtship, has been seen in groups of basking sharks for the first time. Video cameras attached temporarily to the sharks gave scientists an unprecedented view of their hitherto secret underwater world.

The gentle giants are usually solitary creatures and virtually nothing is known about their breeding behaviour. The researchers also recorded one shark shooting out above the water, the first time a full breaching has been captured from the shark's point of view. This may also be part of wooing a mate, perhaps by showing off the fish's size.