Researchers at the Awashima Marine Park south of Tokyo videotaped this scary frilled shark this week. Frilled sharks, Chlamydoselachus anguineus, are rarely seen alive because they live at depths of 600-1000 meters. This specimen was spotted by fishermen in shallow water. Sadly, it died a few hours after the Marine Park staff moved it to a seawater pool where the video was captured. From Reuters:
Marine park staff caught the 5 foot (1.6 meter) long creature, which they identified as a female frilled shark, sometimes referred to as a “living fossil” because it is a primitive species that has changed little since prehistoric times… “We think it may have come close to the surface because it was sick, or else it was weakened because it was in shallow waters,” the official said.
Link (Thanks, Jennifer Lum!)
Previously on BB:
• Video: Indonesian coelacanth Link
• New Waspfish species Link
• Victim of the cookie cutter shark Link