Rare Shark Filmed, ‘Living Fossil’



A species of shark rarely seen alive because its natural habitat is about 2,000 feet under the sea was captured on film by staff at a Japanese marine park this week. (…)

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 believe moving pictures of a live specimen are extremely rare,” said an official at the park. “They live between 1,968 and 3,280 feet (600 and 1,000 meters) under the water, which is deeper than humans can go.”

“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.

The shark died a few hours after being caught.

The Japanese are on a roll.

The Conversation {2 comments}

  1. angel 26 November, 07 @ 4:35 pm

    im doing a report on the frilled shark for science , if u know any more about please email me at skateing4sisto@yahoo.com
    thanks
    p.s. its a really beautful shark, this summer im going to dive with diger sharks and posibly great whites , im a little nerverse

  2. angel 26 November, 07 @ 4:36 pm

    i ment to say tiger lol

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