We're loving your cute weirdness, baby ghost shark

[Judi Lynn]

This sweet baby alien is one of the rarest sights we’ll see from our oceans. It’s the kind of discovery that makes you appreciate the mind-boggling diversity of life on Earth.

By Bec Crew • February 28, 2022 • Reading Time: 2 Minutes



Found near New Zealand’s South Island by a team of scientists from the country’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), this juvenile deep-water ghost shark is thought to have very recently hatched from an egg capsule laid on the sea floor.

The ghost shark was accidentally gathered in a net during a recent survey, conducted by the scientists at a depth of about 1,200 metres below the surface.

Given how rare it is for such young specimens to be found, says one of the team, Dr Brit Finucci, it’s a valuable opportunity to learn more about chimaeras – a fascinating group of cartilaginous fish (meaning their skeletons are made primarily from cartilage, not bones).

Despite their common name, ghost sharks are not actually sharks at all.

More:
https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/blogs/creatura-blog/2022/02/were-loving-your-cute-weirdness-baby-ghost-shark/

[Hoyt]

1. Don't know. Had something like that served to eat. Had to run outside for air.