Sharks leap out of the water more often than you might think

Sharks and rays leap out of the water, or breach, for a wide variety of reasons, including courtship, birthing and hygiene, according to a review of scientific evidence, which finds that the behaviour is more common than previously thought.

Breaching has been reported among fast-swimming predatory sharks – such as white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias), shortfin makos (Isurus oxyrinchus) and salmon sharks (Lamna ditropis), as well as filter-feeding basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) and many species of ray, including manta, devil and eagle rays.