Where does this come from, and can I check it?

A modified dorsal fin creates vacuum pressure against shark skin. The figure is taken from Smithsonian Ocean, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.

Is this really a animals fact?

Yes. It sits on the Animals shelf, one of 1,090 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.

What else can I read about it?

The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.

Mondo Knows Facts

Remoras ride large marine animals using a suction cup on their head

A modified dorsal fin creates vacuum pressure against shark skin.

Remoras feature an oval suction disc on top of their head derived from modified dorsal fin rays. By sliding muscular lamellae backward, the fish creates a vacuum seal against sharks, whales, and turtles, hitching free rides while eating host food scraps.

Where this comes from

Smithsonian Ocean

Facts that can change over time are reviewed and updated. If something here looks wrong, Mondo would rather know than be confidently incorrect.

Go further

Nature & Animals trivia Which Animal Matches Your Personality?

More facts like this

All clownfish are born male and can change into femalesThe dominant male changes sex if the group breeding female dies.Whale sharks filter thousands of tonnes of water every dayThe world largest fish eats microscopic plankton through specialized gill rakers.Leafy seadragons feature leaf-like appendages that never propel themComplex skin lobes resemble floating seaweed for complete disguise.Archerfish shoot down insects using precise water jetsAn archerfish squirts water from its mouth to knock prey into the water.An electric eel can generate shocks exceeding 600 voltsThree specialized electric organs fill most of an electric eel body.A hagfish can turn buckets of water into thick slime in secondsHagfish slime glands release mucus proteins that expand dramatically.

Tags: remora, ocean, fish

Remoras ride large marine animals using a suction cup on their head: the short answers

Where does this come from, and can I check it?: A modified dorsal fin creates vacuum pressure against shark skin. The figure is taken from Smithsonian Ocean, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.
Is this really a animals fact?: Yes. It sits on the Animals shelf, one of 1,090 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.
What else can I read about it?: The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.