this post was submitted on 28 Jan 2026
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Science Memes

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[–] leftzero@lemmy.dbzer0.com 23 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Shark's only smooth from front to back. Otherwise shark's sandpaper.

[–] Klear@quokk.au 12 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Nope. Sharks are smooth as hell in all directions.

[–] moody@lemmings.world 14 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

In general, the crowns of dermal denticles have cusps pointing tailward, which is why a shark feels relatively smooth if stroked from head-to-tail but sandpapery coarse if stroked the other way.

http://www.elasmo-research.org/education/white_shark/scales.htm

[–] Zorcron@piefed.zip 8 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

It’s telling me that shark skin is “smooth from all directions and at all times”

[–] moody@lemmings.world 6 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Are you reading the same thing I'm reading? Literally every search result describes shark skin as dermal denticles, or sharp tooth-like scales aligned from front to back, "relatively smooth" in one direction, and sandpaper-like in the other.

Apparently other animals regularly get injured brushing up against them.

[–] SparroHawc@lemmy.zip 10 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Well, I'm touching a shark right now. Rubbing it every which way. No direction is off limits. It's smoother than the finest silks

[–] Honytawk@feddit.nl 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

But other question, is shark wet?

[–] EddoWagt@feddit.nl 2 points 2 weeks ago

Presumably their skin doesn't absorb or hold water much, if at all. So shark is probably dry

[–] village604@adultswim.fan 5 points 2 weeks ago

No, sharks are smooth all over.