A rare shark washed ashore in Hope Cove in the United Kingdom on Wednesday, according to the National Marine Aquarium in Devon. Biologists confirm that it was a crocodile shark, a member of the mackerel shark family that includes great whites and makos.
These sharks, which grow to approximately three feet in length and weigh put to 15 pounds, are usually only found in warmer water in the southern hemisphere.
“This species has never been recorded in the UK before, as it is normally found in deep waters during the day in tropical climates, such as Brazil and Australia, then coming shallower at night to feed,” NMA biologist James Wright told the Independent. “It is likely to be an isolated incident, but there have been similar stranding incidents in South Africa. This time of year though UK waters are at their coldest so this occurrence is very unusual.”
Experts say that the shark couldn’t survive in the frigid winter waters off the coast of England and it is unlikely that the fish swam thousands of miles. The shark’s discovery was more likely the result of exotic animal trade or by-catch from an extended deep-water fishing expedition.
Source: The Independent