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Why are fish fish-shaped? - Lauren Sallan

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TEDEd Animation

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In tropical seas, flying fish leap out of the water, gliding for up to 200 meters, before dipping back into the sea. In the Indo-Pacific, a hunting sailfish swims up to 110 kilometers per hour. These feats are made possible by a fish’s form—which in most species is a smooth, long body, fins, and a tail. Lauren Sallan explains why these features are so common, and what it reveals about fish.

This lesson focuses on the role of fins and body movements in swimming. What other features of fish shapes might help with movement through water?

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Lauren Sallan
  • Director Igor Đurić, Mladen Đukić
  • Script Editor Emma Bryce
  • Producer Mladen Đukić
  • Art Director Igor Đurić
  • Storyboard Artist Igor Đurić
  • Animator Mladen Đukić, Igor Đurić, Nemanja Vučenović, Igor Štikić, Sandra Marić, Aleksandar Bundalo
  • Editor Nemanja Vučenović
  • Sound Designer Nemanja Vučenović
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott, Elizabeth Cox
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Julianna Zarzycki
  • Fact-Checker Francisco Diez

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