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Spot on Science: Ghost Shark

I spy with my little eye something… spoooky! And it’s something that’s never been seen before on camera.

Marine biologists recently captured footage of what they believe is a ghost shark off the coast of California. The ghost shark is also called the pointy-nosed blue chimera…yeah not as spooky of a name. The species has been seen before, but never in the western hemisphere and never on camera.

This type of shark is known for its blue-gray skin color, whip like tail and oh yeah its cold dead ghostly eyes. [shudder] Because you know sharks aren’t scary enough to begin with. Where it’s teeth should be the ghost shark instead uses tooth plates to grind its food. It’s a cartilaginous fish, meaning it doesn’t have bones.

Researchers at the Monterey Bay Aquarium are still checking to see if what they found is indeed a ghost shark. It could only be photographed using a remote controlled vehicle that could dive down 6,700 feet – that’s because the ghost shark only lives in the deepest parts of the ocean.

Which is a relief because anything that combines the words “ghost” and “shark” can stay as far away from me as possible.

Instructional Links

Website Article & Video: Live Science, Mysterious 'Ghost Shark' Found for 1st Time in Northern Hemisphere

Encyclopedia Article: World Book Student, Shark | May need password.

Video: PBS LearningMedia, Blue World, Shark Biology

Video: Kids.gov, Marine Biologist | Interview