Top 6 strangest shark species

In previous posts, we have looked at some of the most iconic shark species in the ocean, such as whale shark or hammerhead shark. But did you know there are more than 500 known shark species as of today? Some of those are amongst the oldest species on the planet, having been in the oceans for millions of year. The earliest evidence of shark species is more than 450 million years old, making them older than dinosaurs!

And some of them are…well, really weird! Today we will take a look at some of the strangest shark species in the ocean.  

1. Goblin Shark (Mitsukurina owstoni):

Let's kick off our list with the goblin shark, often called the "living fossil" due to its ancient lineage. Found in deep-sea waters around the world, including off the coast of Japan, the goblin shark is known for its distinctive elongated snout and protrusible jaws. Its pinkish skin adds to its strange appearance (one that only a mother could love, honestly). Unlike most sharks, which rely on speed and agility to catch prey, the goblin shark uses a unique mechanism to extend its jaws forward, capturing unsuspecting fish or squid with lightning speed. Its elusive nature and deep-sea habitat make it a rare sight for researchers.

Goblin shark - photo credit Dianne Bray

2. Frilled Shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus):

Well-hidden into the depths of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, our next contender is the frilled shark, a primitive species with a lineage dating back millions of years. This animal looks a little bit like the love child of an eel and a shark. It sports a long, eel-like body and a mouth full of needle-like teeth arranged in a frilly pattern, hence its name. Preferring the dark abyssal depths, the frilled shark feeds on smaller fish and squid, using its flexible body to snatch prey. Its peculiar appearance and mysterious habits have earned it a reputation as one of the strangest sharks in the sea. Because of their deep habitat, there is little research or information available on this strange shark species.

Photo Kelvin Aitken

3. Sawshark (Pristiophoriformes):

A shark that is also a tool…it should definitely be on this list! Found in shallow to deep coastal waters across the globe, this shark possesses a long, saw-like snout adorned with sharp teeth on either side. Instead of relying on speed or force, the sawshark uses its unique rostrum to search the ocean floor for buried prey, such as crustaceans and small fish. The “saw” is also covered with sensory organs that help detect prey through their electric field.

Once a prey is detected, the sawshark uses quick, lateral swipes of its snout to incapacitate its victim before devouring it. Its specialized feeding behavior and bizarre appearance make it a good addition to our list of weird sharks!

Photo credit T. Kaminaga

4. Cookiecutter Shark (Isistius brasiliensis):

Prepare to be intrigued by the cookiecutter shark (also known as cigar shark), a small but formidable predator found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. Only about half a meter long, research shows that it travels easily from deep to shallow water every day, sometimes for more than 3km deep. Despite its small size, the cookiecutter shark possesses a unique feeding strategy that sets it apart from its larger relatives. Using its suction cup-like lips and razor-sharp teeth, the cookiecutter shark attaches itself to larger marine animals, such as whales and dolphins, and removes small, circular plugs of flesh with remarkable precision. Thanks to its parasitic feeding habits, the cookiecutter shark plays a vital role in the marine ecosystem as a scavenger and cleaner. Also…it doesn’t really look like a shark, yet it is!

5. Epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum)

This quite small shark is found mainly in shallow waters around Australia and surrounding region. It has white-margined black spots on its body, looking like military epaulettes, hence its name. But its look is not the strangest characteristic of the epaulette shark.

Because they live and feed in shallow waters, these sharks often get stuck in tide pools. They have evolved to be able to withstand a lack of oxygen for over an hour, even if stuck out of the water. But even more incredible…they walk! By wiggling its body and using its fins, the epaulette shark can get itself out of a tidal pool and back into the ocean. Check out the video below to see a walking shark!

6. Greenland shark (somniosus microcephalus)

There is a lot still unknown about this species, because Greenland sharks are hard to study. Only found in cold water around Iceland, North Atlantic and the Artic, there are few sightings of these rare animals as they live in areas quite isolated from human activity.

The greenland shark is the longest living vertebrate known today, estimated to live between 250 and 500 years! Existing research shows that they could carry pups for 8 years or more! This shark has an incredibly long and slow life cycle.Their meat is toxic if consumed without any treatment. However, Greenland shark meat is used to produce “fermented shark”, known as “harkal” in Iceland, a traditional dish. The meat is cured and hung to dry for several months before it can be consumed without any risks.

 How do you like these strangest sharks?

With millions of years of evolution behind them, some of the shark species have evolved to some strange characteristics to make the best out of their environment!

If you like sharks, check out our other posts about them, such as tiger shark or great white shark.