Thoughtful Sharks : Eye Gaze

This series of postings entitled “Thoughtful Sharks,” which begins below, introduces cognition by first establishing that sharks know each other as individuals.

Recognition of others as individuals has long been established in fish and sharks, and is necessary for the complex social lives in which cognition is most evident.

The next posting in the series moved into the subject of self awareness. As well as knowing others, sharks demonstrate by their actions that they recognize themselves as being separate from others and observable. To this degree they are self aware.

This follow-up shows these qualities in their behaviour through their spontaneous gestures toward divers. They are interested in others and show curiosity toward other members of their submarine community, including divers who visit them, and who show interest in them. The interest is returned.

Thus it is possible through photos to capture the eye to eye gaze of these mysterious creatures of the deep, when for just few moments of their day, they meet us.