Evolution can create the creepiest creatures, and nothing’s more creepy than the ones that live in the oceans. Because there is very little interaction between sea animals and humans, many of them haven’t been influenced by the course of events of history. That’s why many of them still look like prehistoric creatures out of time.
And the ghost shark is definitely one of those. Native to Australia and New Zealand, these bizarre sharks are definitely interesting to look at, if not a little creepy.
It’s also known as the elephant shark because of the floppy skin that hangs from the front of its face. It uses this “proboscis” to root out small animals in the sand that it uses as food.
And the ghost shark is definitely one of those. Native to Australia and New Zealand, these bizarre sharks are definitely interesting to look at, if not a little creepy.
It’s also known as the elephant shark because of the floppy skin that hangs from the front of its face. It uses this “proboscis” to root out small animals in the sand that it uses as food.
Image Credit: Boredom Therapy
The end of this pouch has pores that can sense movement and electrical fields so they don’t have to root around very long to find a tasty meal.
The end of this pouch has pores that can sense movement and electrical fields so they don’t have to root around very long to find a tasty meal.
Image Credit: Boredom Therapy
Like people, they can see things in color, which seems to be rare in the animal kingdom. However, unlike people, they have a poisonous spine in their dorsal fin that they use to protect themselves.
Like people, they can see things in color, which seems to be rare in the animal kingdom. However, unlike people, they have a poisonous spine in their dorsal fin that they use to protect themselves.
Image Credit: Boredom Therapy
They’re not like other savage hunting sharks of the deep blue sea with sharp teeth and dangerous grins.
They’re not like other savage hunting sharks of the deep blue sea with sharp teeth and dangerous grins.
Image Credit: Boredom Therapy
Because they essentially “forage” and dig around for their food, they need some means of defending themselves.
Because they essentially “forage” and dig around for their food, they need some means of defending themselves.
Image Credit: Boredom Therapy
This species of shark is extremely old, ancient even, so studying their genomes can help us to unlock the progression of these animals from their ancestors into what they are now.
This species of shark is extremely old, ancient even, so studying their genomes can help us to unlock the progression of these animals from their ancestors into what they are now.