'Terrifying predator': 7-meter creature emerges from the abyss to attack a deep-sea camera. Watch!
Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Hidden Depths
Deep beneath the ocean’s surface, at 1,400 meters west of the Tonga Trench, a Pacific Sleeper Shark was caught on camera, revealing the mysteries of an untouched underwater world.
Shark Encounter
A massive Pacific Sleeper Shark, estimated at 3.5 meters, swam up to the camera, nibbling it in a curious investigation, showcasing behavior unique to these deep-sea predators.
Majestic Female
Dr. Jessica Kolbusz identified the shark as female, noting the absence of claspers on its pelvic fins, confirming her as a magnificent resident of the cold, dark depths.
Credit: Instagram/deepseauwa
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Chilly Waters
In frigid waters of 2.5°C, the shark displayed its preference for cooler climates, a key factor in its natural habitat and survival at extreme ocean depths.
Close Call
The shark’s bite gave scientists a rare glimpse inside its powerful jaws before it moved on to the bait, sparing the camera and leaving the team in awe.
Gentle Predator
Built for stealth, the Pacific Sleeper Shark glides silently through water, feeding primarily on bottom-dwelling fish and even Giant Pacific Octopuses, as observed from stomach studies.
Massive Scale
While this shark was estimated at 3.5 meters, Pacific Sleeper Sharks can grow to a staggering 7 meters, rivaling some of the ocean’s largest predators in size.
Bait Success
After briefly tasting the camera, the shark shifted to the bait, giving researchers a perfect view of its movement and scale before it swam back into the dark abyss.
Deep-Sea Marvel
The Tonga Trench footage highlights the Pacific Sleeper Shark’s adaptability to its cold, isolated habitat, revealing a predator finely tuned for survival in extreme conditions.