Learning About Sharks At Greensboro Science Center

What does “benthic” mean in English?

Benthic describes an animal that lives on the bottom of the ocean, a lake, or a river, instead of swimming freely through open water. In this clip, an aquarium worker explains that some small sharks are called benthic sharks because they spend their time resting and moving along the floor of their tank, using their fins almost like legs. The word comes from the Greek word for “depth,” describing life down at the bottom.

Scientists use “benthic” for any bottom-dwelling life, not just sharks — starfish, crabs, and many worms are benthic too. It comes from the Ancient Greek word benthos, meaning “the depths of the sea.” The opposite is “pelagic,” used for animals like tuna or dolphins that swim through open water instead of staying near the bottom.