Frilled Shark Captured - The rare frilled shark, which has 300 razor sharp teeth, and whose species dates back to 80 million years, was caught in a fishing trawler by a group of fishermen off Australia's coast, according to Discovery. Also known as the "living fossil", the frilled shark captured was caught last month near Lakes Entrance in Victoria, Australia.
The frilled shark captured is reportedly only one of two species still alive. The recent find is believed to be the first time a human has seen the specie alive.
Captain David Guillot of the Western Alliance Vessell that had frilled shark captured, told Fairfax Radio on Wednesday that the shark was unlike any sea creature he has ever laid eyes on.
"I've been at sea for 30 years and I've never seen a shark that looks like that," said Guillot. "It was like a large eel, probably 1.5 meters [5 feet] long, and the body was quite different to any other shark I'd ever seen."
"The head on it was like something out of a horror movie. It was quite horrific looking. ... It was quite scary actually," he added.
The frilled shark captured reportedly reaches about 6 feet in length. It has 300 needle-shaped teeth in 25 rows, providing it more teeth than most sharks. The great white shark has 50 teeth in contrast. The prehistoric fish is known to capture its prey through the bending of its body like a snake.
It may not be amongst the largest sharks and it looks more like an eel than a shark, however particular specie of the frilled shark captured was nearly as large as they grow. It had been caught at 2,296 feet below the surface, according to the South East Trawl Fishing Association (SETFA).
"It's a freaky thing," said Simon Boag, the chief executive officer at SETFA.
He also said the group of fishermen didn't have any idea what they had just caught.
"It has 300 teeth over 25 rows, so once you're in that mouth, you're not coming out," said Boag, speaking to ABC News of the frilled shark captured. "Good for dentists, but it is a freaky thing. I don't think you would want to show it to little children before they went to bed."
He also told Australia's ABC Rural, "I don't think you would want to show it to little children before they went to bed."
According to the association, the frilled shark captured is often referred to as a "living fossil." Described as having an eel-like appearance with three fins on its back, the fish got its name from the six pairs of gill slits which give it that fringed appearance.
The frilled shark captured was caught in 700 metres deep of water. The depth from where it was found was described as unusual because they are normally found at 1,500 metres, according to The Mirror.
"This guy was just unlucky," said Boag.
The frilled shark captured was offered to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization. However, it had been declined because they already had a specimen, reports The Washington Post.
"We couldn't find a fisherman who had ever seen one before. ... It looks prehistoric, it looks like it's from another time," Boag told ABC.
The frilled shark captured is now believed to have been sold.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
