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New insights into the physical capabilities of aquatic animals
Humpback whales (pictured) and mackerals had a similar maximum speed when jumping out of the water.

Study finds mackerels and humpback whales jump out of the sea at the same speed

New research led by the University of Roehampton has revealed fresh insights into the physical abilities of aquatic animals.


The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, found that small fish like mackerel jump out of the sea (a behaviour known as ‘breaching’) at the same maximum speed as humpback whales. It also revealed that mullets can match apex predators such as the great white shark.


Researchers say their findings provide vital new information on speed and power concerning an animal's size and could inform further research. 


Study lead professor Lewis Halsey said: “There are general expectations that powerful animals known to hunt, such as orcas or great white sharks, would come out top in terms of maximum speed, but our results disprove this.


“We hope this will form the foundations for further research as we discover more about the maximum energy outputs of different animals and the underlying factors impacting this fundamental measure of an animal’s physical capacity and how they are adapted to their habitats.”

In the study, researchers examined video footage of 14 species of fish and cetaceans spanning in length from 20cm to 14cm. These included the African tetra, basking shark, common bottlenose dolphin and humpback whale.

They found that the maximum breaching speed of fish and cetaceans increases with size until it levels-off with species that are around two meters long. They also noted that the speeds of bigger cetaceans such as orcas and humpback whales do not surpass that of mackerel.


To put this into figures, both mackerels and humpback whales have a similar maximum speed when jumping out of the water (nine metres per second, m/s), and mullets and white sharks are also matched for breaching speed (six m/s), the researchers said.


The team also found that smaller fish delivered higher rates of energy output for their size. For example, the power of a mullet as it thrust through the water surface is about 40 Watts per kilogram of body weight - 10 times more power than shown by the great white shark.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.