Rare Footage of Pre-Historic Shark Swimming Like a Ghoul

Written by Colby Maxwell
Published: May 12, 2023
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If you thought sharks were scary enough, wait until you see this video (check it out below) of a frilled shark, a species that has been around for 80 million years and looks like something out of a horror movie.

We don’t know how the video was filmed or what the shark was doing so close to the surface (it was probably because it was sick), but we do know that it was incredibly rare to see such this species of shark in a place that humans could see it naturally.

The video shows the shark swimming slowly in a seawater pool, opening and closing its jaws as if gasping for air. It also shows a diver getting close to the shark and touching it gently, revealing its rough skin and flexible body. The last shot is a clip of the shark lying on a tarp as scientists examine it, hoping to learn more about this mysterious creature.

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Unfortunately, the shark died shortly after being captured, but not before giving us a glimpse of its eerie appearance and behavior.

What is a Frilled Shark & What Does It Look Like?

Frilled shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus)

Frilled sharks are an ancient species of deepwater shark that have roamed the world’s oceans for millions of years.

©OpenCage / CC BY-SA 2.5 – License

The frilled shark is named after its six pairs of frilly gill slits that give it a ghastly look. It has a long, eel-like body and a mouth full of needle-sharp teeth that can protrude when it attacks its prey. It normally lives in deep waters, up to 1500 meters (4900 feet) below the surface, and is rarely seen alive by humans. It is sometimes called a living fossil because it belongs to an ancient lineage that dates back to the time of the dinosaurs.

The frilled shark is one of the most fascinating and elusive animals in the ocean. It reminds us of how little we know about the deep sea and the wonders it hides. Watch the video below and see for yourself why this shark is both terrifying and amazing.

Check Out the Video Below!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Citron / CC-BY-SA-3.0 – License / Original


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About the Author

Colby is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering outdoors, unique animal stories, and science news. Colby has been writing about science news and animals for five years and holds a bachelor's degree from SEU. A resident of NYC, you can find him camping, exploring, and telling everyone about what birds he saw at his local birdfeeder.

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