Shark Awareness Day: 7 Weirdest Species That Actually Exist
1 / 7
Goblin Shark (Mitsukurina owstoni)
It is known as a 'living fossil.' This rare deep-sea shark has an elongated, flat snout and terrifying protrusible jaws that shoot out lightning-fast to snatch prey. Its pinkish, translucent skin gives it a ghostly appearance, and it can grow up to 12 feet long. It's found in deep waters off Japan, the Gulf of Mexico, and South Africa. Frilled Shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus)
2 / 7
Frilled Shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus)
This serpent-like shark dates back 80 million years and has a long, eel-like body with six pairs of frilly gills. It has over 300 needle-sharp teeth arranged in 25 rows, designed to trap squid and fish like a Venus flytrap. It's found in the deep Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, rarely seen by humans. Wobbegong Shark (Family: Orectolobidae)
3 / 7
Wobbegong Shark (Family: Orectolobidae)
They are often called 'carpet sharks.' Wobbegongs have flat bodies, wild patterns, and fleshy whisker-like lobes around their mouths that help them blend into the sea floor. They lie in ambush, waiting for prey to swim too close. It's found in tropical and subtropical waters, especially around Australia and Southeast Asia. Hammerhead Shark (Family: Sphyrnidae)
4 / 7
Hammerhead Shark (Family: Sphyrnidae)
Their iconic T-shaped head, or cephalofoil, gives them 360-degree vision and enhanced electroreception, helping them detect stingrays hidden under sand. Their head also aids in tight turns and balance during hunting. It's found in warm, coastal waters worldwide. Cookiecutter Shark (Isistius brasiliensis)
5 / 7
Cookiecutter Shark (Isistius brasiliensis)
It is small but terrifying, and this shark only grows about 20 inches, but it bites perfect circular chunks out of whales, dolphins, and even submarines. It uses glowing patches on its belly to lure prey. It's found in tropical and deep ocean waters around the world. Sawshark (Family: Pristiophoridae)
6 / 7
Sawshark (Family: Pristiophoridae)
With a long, saw-like snout lined with teeth, Sawsharks slash through schools of fish like underwater swordsmen. Their rostrum (snout) also has sensory barbels to detect movement in murky water. It's found in the western Pacific and Indian Oceans. Megamouth Shark (Megachasma pelagios)
7 / 7
Megamouth Shark (Megachasma pelagios)
This rarely seen deep-sea shark has a massive, gaping mouth used to filter plankton and jellyfish, much like a whale shark. Its rubbery lips and glowing mouth lining help attract prey in pitch-black waters. It's found in the deep Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, and it has only been around 100 sightings ever recorded.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
16-07-2025
- India.com
Vasuki Indicus: New King Of Giants Unearthed In Indias...., Dethrones Titanoboa; Check Its Massive Size, Weight, Fossil Pics
photoDetails english Vasuki Indicus Real Photos by IIT: Those who know about Lord Shiva, also knows about the revered snake Vasuki. Known as the snake that Lord Shiva wears around his neck, Vasuki was the son of the sage Kashyapa and the serpent queen Kadru, as per Hindu mythology or belief. As per Hindu scriptures, Vasuki was of unprecedented size and weight. In the modern era, for decades, the colossal Titanoboa held the undisputed title of the largest snake to have ever roamed Earth, with its impressive length of up to 42 feet. However, a groundbreaking discovery in Gujarat has potentially rewritten this chapter of paleontological history. Updated:Jul 16, 2025, 08:42 PM IST Vasuki Indicus Length, Weight 1 / 7 Fossils unearthed along the Kutch coast reveal an ancient serpent, now named Vasuki Indicus, estimated to have measured a staggering 49 feet long and weighed nearly 1,000 kilograms. This monumental find, the result of nearly two decades of dedicated research by scientists from IIT Roorkee, not only challenges our understanding of prehistoric megafauna but also draws a fascinating link to the mythical serpent Vasuki Naag from ancient Indian scriptures. Let's delve into the remarkable details of Vasuki Indicus: Vasuki Indicus: Scale, Size 2 / 7 The sheer scale of Vasuki Indicus redefines what was thought possible for ancient snakes. With length around 49 feet, it is a strong contender for the longest snake to have ever lived, potentially exceeding the previous record holder, Titanoboa. Based on the dimensions of its vertebrae, which measure between 38 to 62 millimeters in length and 62 to 111 millimeters in width, researchers infer that Vasuki Indicus possessed a broad, cylindrical body, similar to modern-day large pythons or anacondas. Vasuki Indicus Fossil 3 / 7 The story of Vasuki Indicus began with the discovery of its ancient remains, meticulously studied and identified over many years. The fossils were initially unearthed in 2005 at the Panandhro Lignite Mine in the Kutch district of Gujarat, India. Researchers recovered 27 mostly well-preserved vertebrae. Due to their massive size, the bones were initially thought to belong to a large crocodile, highlighting the extraordinary scale of this ancient serpent. Vasuki Indicus Age 4 / 7 Vasuki Indicus is estimated to have lived during the Middle Eocene period, approximately 47 million years ago, a time characterized by a warm global climate conducive to the growth of large cold-blooded reptiles. Vasuki Indicus belongs to an extinct lineage of giant snakes, offering insights into their evolutionary history. Vasuki Indicus Real Reconstruction 5 / 7 Though a complete skeleton of Vasuki Indicus has not been found, scientific analysis of its vertebrae allowed for remarkable reconstructions and insights into its lifestyle. The size and distinctive features of the recovered vertebrae were instrumental in estimating the snake's overall length and weight. Vasuki Indicus Mythology 6 / 7 The naming of this newly discovered species highlights a fascinating connection between ancient Indian lore and modern scientific discovery. The name "Vasuki Indicus" is a direct reference to Vasuki Naag, the revered mythical serpent from Hindu scriptures, often depicted as a divine ornament around Lord Shiva's neck. Vasuki Indicus vs. Titanoboa 7 / 7 It's a battle of the beasts. Vasuki Indicus, with an estimated maximum length of 49 feet, potentially surpasses Titanoboa's maximum reported length of 42 feet. While Vasuki Indicus is estimated to be around 1,000 kg, Titanoboa has been estimated to weigh slightly more, up to 1.25 tonnes.
India.com
15-07-2025
- India.com
One Of World's Oldest Fossil Sites Is In India, Not In Northeast Or Rajasthan, It Is In...
photoDetails english 2931955 Updated:Jul 15, 2025, 07:58 AM IST Location Of Fossil Park 1 / 7 According to the website of District Sonbhadra, the fossil park is located 12 km from Robertsganj, near Salkhan village on state highway SH5A in Sonbhadra district. How Old Are Sonbhadra Park's Fossils? 2 / 7 The fossils in the Park are estimated to be nearly 1400 million years old and are algae and stromatolites, types of fossils. Area Of Park 3 / 7 The park is spread over an area of about 25 hectares in Kaimur Range, adjacent to Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary. Furthermore, it comes under the jurisdiction of the State Forest Department. Geologists In Park 4 / 7 The website further stated that the geologists have been aware of the fossils found in the present-day park area since the 1930s. People who have carried out research in the area include Mr. Auden (1933), Mr. Mathur (1958 and 1965), and Professor S. Kumar (1980–81). Canadian Geologist 5 / 7 Canadian geologist H.J. Hoffman was impressed by the fossils and remarked that he had not seen such beautiful and clear fossils anywhere else in the world. In 2004, Mukund Sharma also further explored the area. UNESCO's Tentative World Heritage List 6 / 7 In a significant achievement for India, according to IANS, Salkhan Fossils Park, one of the world's oldest fossil sites, recently secured a place in UNESCO's tentative list of World Heritage Sites. The park would attain full World Heritage status within the next two years. The Tourism Department had been working towards this goal for the past year. Credits 7 / 7
India.com
14-07-2025
- India.com
Shark Awareness Day: 7 Weirdest Species That Actually Exist
photoDetails english 2931685 Updated:Jul 14, 2025, 02:37 PM IST Goblin Shark (Mitsukurina owstoni) 1 / 7 Goblin Shark (Mitsukurina owstoni) It is known as a 'living fossil.' This rare deep-sea shark has an elongated, flat snout and terrifying protrusible jaws that shoot out lightning-fast to snatch prey. Its pinkish, translucent skin gives it a ghostly appearance, and it can grow up to 12 feet long. It's found in deep waters off Japan, the Gulf of Mexico, and South Africa. Frilled Shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus) 2 / 7 Frilled Shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus) This serpent-like shark dates back 80 million years and has a long, eel-like body with six pairs of frilly gills. It has over 300 needle-sharp teeth arranged in 25 rows, designed to trap squid and fish like a Venus flytrap. It's found in the deep Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, rarely seen by humans. Wobbegong Shark (Family: Orectolobidae) 3 / 7 Wobbegong Shark (Family: Orectolobidae) They are often called 'carpet sharks.' Wobbegongs have flat bodies, wild patterns, and fleshy whisker-like lobes around their mouths that help them blend into the sea floor. They lie in ambush, waiting for prey to swim too close. It's found in tropical and subtropical waters, especially around Australia and Southeast Asia. Hammerhead Shark (Family: Sphyrnidae) 4 / 7 Hammerhead Shark (Family: Sphyrnidae) Their iconic T-shaped head, or cephalofoil, gives them 360-degree vision and enhanced electroreception, helping them detect stingrays hidden under sand. Their head also aids in tight turns and balance during hunting. It's found in warm, coastal waters worldwide. Cookiecutter Shark (Isistius brasiliensis) 5 / 7 Cookiecutter Shark (Isistius brasiliensis) It is small but terrifying, and this shark only grows about 20 inches, but it bites perfect circular chunks out of whales, dolphins, and even submarines. It uses glowing patches on its belly to lure prey. It's found in tropical and deep ocean waters around the world. Sawshark (Family: Pristiophoridae) 6 / 7 Sawshark (Family: Pristiophoridae) With a long, saw-like snout lined with teeth, Sawsharks slash through schools of fish like underwater swordsmen. Their rostrum (snout) also has sensory barbels to detect movement in murky water. It's found in the western Pacific and Indian Oceans. Megamouth Shark (Megachasma pelagios) 7 / 7 Megamouth Shark (Megachasma pelagios) This rarely seen deep-sea shark has a massive, gaping mouth used to filter plankton and jellyfish, much like a whale shark. Its rubbery lips and glowing mouth lining help attract prey in pitch-black waters. It's found in the deep Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, and it has only been around 100 sightings ever recorded.
