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'Terrifying predator':  7-meter creature emerges from the abyss to attack a deep-sea camera. Watch!

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Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.