Main Page Content Page Next Page
| One of the world’s most extraordinary sharks, the megamouth, was only discovered in 1976. No-one had come across this large shark before, although it is over 5 m (16 ft) long and weighs 680 kg (1500 lb). Since 1976 five more megamouths have been found, including one which was capturaed alive off the coast of California in 1990. Scientist attached radio tags to this living megamouth so they could follow it. The shark spent the day at 135-150 m (450-500 ft) down, feeding on "kill" (shrimp-like creatures). After sunset it rose up to within 12 m (40 ft) of the surface following its food source before it descent into the depths at dawn. Another strange shark, the goblin shark, was found nearly 100 years ago, yet scientists know little about it. Other mysteries have been solved. No-one knew what caused disc-shaped bites on whales, dolphins, and seals, but the culprites ware found to be cookiecutter sharks. Who knows what other weird and wonderful sharks are still to be found deep in the ocean? |
|