This Is What It Looks Like When A Shark Goes To Get Her Teeth Cleaned

Sharks may be among the ocean's most capable killing machines, their streamlined bodies perfectly adapted for chasing down unsuspecting prey with the utmost speed and precision - but when it comes to maintaining good oral hygiene, they can use all the help they can get.

In one of the more fascinating examples of unlikely animals partnering up for a shared benefit, in a relationship known as mutualism, some sharks have come to rely on a tiny, gilled counterpart, known as cleaner wrasse, for their dental care needs.

(Wikimedia)

Cleaner wrasse can usually be found congregating around coral reefs, forming groups known as "cleaning stations." When larger animals arrive to be tidied up, the little fish leap into action, gently nibbling away parasites and dead tissue from their client's body. Cleaner wrasse are so thorough in fact, they'll regularly enter predators' mouths to gobble up any food debris that may be stuck there. In exchange for their good work, predators seem to know not to take the cleaners for a meal.

YouTube user JR Waterman recently uploaded some fantastic footage of a female grey reef shark in the Maldives visiting one of these cleaning stations, her mouth agape to invite the cleaner fish in to do their job.

click to play video