Mackerel forming a bait ball to avoid predators May 2, 2018

Mackerel forming a bait ball to avoid predators

This school of Atlantic horse mackerel is forming a bait ball. When surrounded by predators, such as the barracuda and bluefish seen here, the school will gather close together to expose the least number of individual fish. In the open ocean, without hiding places among kelp, coral, or coastal rocks, the bait ball will protect most of the smaller fish. Is this where the idea of ‘safety in numbers’ originates?

© Jordi Chias/Minden Pictures

palette

Today in History

May 2, 2019Making it work—in Norway
May 2, 2020Morocco in bloom
May 2, 2021Happy World Laughter Day
May 2, 2022Pamukkale, Turkey
May 2, 2023Jöriseen lakes in the Silvretta Alps, Switzerland
May 2, 2024Craters of the Moon centennial
May 2, 2025Striated heron on a Victoria water lily, Pantanal, Brazil

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Nov 16, 2021Glenfinnan Viaduct
May 13, 2020Of moose and Maine
Jan 9, 2018Great Fountain Geyser, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
May 14, 2018Celebrating Bike to Work Week, May 14-18
Jun 23, 2025The Elbe in Dresden, Germany
Jan 26, 2026Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany
Oct 4, 2020Infrared Jupiter, erupting Io
Oct 2, 2018North Cascades National Park at 50
Mar 17, 2025Happy St. Patricks Day!
Jul 7, 2025Northern gannets, Shetland Islands, Scotland
Dec 6, 2021Computer Science EDU Week
May 30, 2021Who s hiding in the kelp?
Jan 15, 2019A personal collection becomes an institution
Mar 2, 2022Mount Rainier National Park
Apr 7, 2023International Beaver Day
Oct 9, 2018A history of Vinland
Nov 2, 2024National Bison Day
Aug 8, 2024Spotted owlet, Bangkok, Thailand
Jul 21, 2021An octagonal architectural treasure
Dec 3, 2018Computer science on the page
Jun 6, 2025Arromanches-les-Bains for the 81st anniversary of D-Day
Oct 24, 2021Bavljenac Island
Mar 1, 2022Women s History Month
Jun 10, 2022Poppies in bloom
Jun 4, 2022National Trails Day
Oct 30, 2018A species worth defending
May 21, 2022Albion Falls, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Jan 29, 2019A winter’s holiday ends
Jul 10, 2018Wyoming celebrates its statehood
Aug 3, 2020The monsoon arrives in the desert