Deep within the shadowy oceans, a variety of curious and enigmatic creatures inhabit the depths, such as the frilled shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus), which has been known for over a century, yet much of its lifestyle remains elusive.
We gain insight into their appearance through the occasional specimens caught in deep-sea fishing nets across the globe.
These sharks typically measure about 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length, with smooth, tube-like brown or gray bodies and dorsal fins positioned lower on their backs, close to the tail of their elongated form.
The most peculiar characteristic is found at the front end. The frilled shark possesses six prominent gill slits, exceeding the number found in most other sharks.
Indeed, there are five other known species in the frilled shark taxonomic order, Hexanchiformes, which include the Sixgill and Seven Gill sharks.
The name “frilled shark” derives from the unique ruffled edges of its gill slits, with the extended tips of the gill filaments visible.
The first pair of gill slits connects beneath the throat, resembling a lacy collar.
Moreover, their mouths are larger, akin to those of lizards, compared to typical sharks. Inside, they feature a series of three-pronged teeth resembling tiny tridents.
Studies of the stomach contents from rare specimens reveal that frilled sharks employ their three-pronged teeth to capture soft-bodied squid.
They are also reported to occasionally consume fish and other shark species. Unlike many sharks, pregnant female frilled sharks do not lay eggs; rather, the eggs hatch internally.
The newborn sharks begin life as embryos, attached to egg yolks, which serve as a nutritional source during their development.
One mystery that remains unsolved is the duration of their pregnancy. If other deep-sea sharks are indicative, it could take several years before a frilled shark pup emerges into the ocean.
Often mischaracterized as “living fossils,” frilled sharks garnered significant attention in 2022 after a viral video showcased rare footage of live frilled sharks in Japan, prompting news outlets worldwide to clarify misconceptions.
These creatures likely exist for decades.
However, it is indeed true that the oldest known fossils of frilled sharks date back to the late Cretaceous period, approximately 80 million years ago, displaying surprisingly little change through time.
The fossils indicate that the ancestors of frilled sharks exhibited similar deep-sea swimming behaviors.
This suggests that these unusual-looking sharks have been gracefully navigating the oceans with their snake-like bodies for millions of years, and although their young are rarely observed, they continue to thrive today.
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