Sharks Confirmed to Follow Two-Thirds Scaling Law, New Study Reveals
June 21, 2025
Utilizing high-resolution 3D imaging and CT scans, the researchers employed phylogenetic regression to analyze the surface area and volume of sharks, confirming a scaling coefficient of 0.64, which is remarkably close to the anticipated 0.66.
Moreover, this research highlights the potential for applying similar methodologies to confirm the two-thirds scaling law across other animal species, thereby enhancing our understanding of various biological processes.
These findings suggest that sharks have evolved to maintain this scaling ratio, likely due to developmental constraints that render deviations costly.
Understanding the two-thirds scaling law in sharks may offer valuable insights into their physiological responses to environmental changes, such as heat and nutrient management, particularly in the face of climate change.
A recent study led by Joel Gayford from James Cook University has revealed that sharks closely adhere to the two-thirds scaling law, a biological principle that describes the relationship between surface area and volume.
The research examined 54 different shark species, showcasing a diverse range of body sizes and masses, to determine if they deviate from the expected scaling law.
Interestingly, only reef-associated sharks exhibited minor deviations from the scaling law, indicating a strong evolutionary commitment to this mathematical principle among the broader shark population.
The two-thirds scaling law posits that as an object's dimensions increase, its surface area grows by the square of the linear dimension, while its volume increases by the cube, resulting in a consistent ratio of two-thirds.
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IFLScience • Jun 20, 2025
Sharks Follow The "Two-Thirds Scaling Law" Of Geometry Almost Perfectly