Frilled Shark Pictures

By Luca Oddone (Museo Geopaleontologico GAMPS) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

Frilled Shark Chlamydoselachus anguineus

In 2007, Japanese marine park staff at Awashima Marine Park had a rare opportunity to view the ancient  predator of the continental shelf, the Frilled Shark.  The captured female specimen came within human reach because she was obviously close to death.  This species habitat is well beyond the reach of humans as it lives in depths of 400 feet to 4,200 feet.  This unusual fish takes the name "frilled" shark because of its eel like appearance with collar like gills in rows, with a single dorsal fin and a caudal fin. It is in a family of its own and at least one Japanese scientist believes it should be in an Oder of its own.  The Chlamydoselachus anguineus, Frilled Shark is in a category of its own, unlike other ancient extinct species it is doing fine. 

The Frilled Shark caught by Japanese marine park staff was initially discovered by local fishermen.  Routinely, sick or dying Frilled Sharks end up in fisherman nets.  It is the first time an ill Frilled Shark lived long enough to transport it to the Marine saltwater aquarium, and allow scientists to observe it swimming around.  The Frilled Shark died within a few hours, but the opportunity to observe the rare fish up close at the surface is unmatched.  Contrary to the statements made by some public members, the Frilled Shark would not have left its comfortable habitat in the depths of the ocean if it were not already dying.  Many comments criticized the marine park officials for interferring with the Frilled Shark.  These comments were unwarranted.  

The Frilled Shark has over 300 tiny trident-shaped teeth aligned in 25 rows.  It feeds primarily on other creatures of the deep, like rays and deep sea squids.  Its snake like appearance allows it to surprise and overtake its victims.  The Frilled Shark measures approximately six feet in length.  It is an awesome, frightening looking specimen, but there is no evidence it attacks or even likes humans.  The chances of meeting of Frilled Shark on the hunt is unlikely because humans cannot exist in the depths of the sea tolerated well by the Frilled Shark.  There have been 264 specimens of the Frilled Shark examined by scientists in Sagura Bay in Japan.  According to scientists in Japan there may a close relative of this Frilled Shark located in waters in Southern Africa.          

Frilled Shark Picture: Throat by OpenCage (http://opencage.info/pics.e/large_8116.asp) [CC-BY-SA-2.5], via WikimediaCommons

Frilled Shark Picture: Head by saname777 from Tokyo, Japan (Shin-Enoshima Aquarium(2008.8.23) - 181) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

By NOAA [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

By This illustration was made by CitronPlease credit this : Citron (Own work) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

By Albert Charles Lewis Gotthilf Guenther; John Graham Kerr (Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th ed., Vol. 24, p. 809) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons


By Franz Theodor Doflein (1873—1924) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

See page for author [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

I, Tambja [GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons