The ninja lantern shark measures 515 mm in lenght.
As fantastical as it would seem, a team of scientists from the United States has discovered and catalogued a new species of sharks. Palm-fit glow-in-the-dark shark was discovered and the sea creature displays some ninja-like features.
The team of scientists gathered their data on the newly discovered shark in a study, which they later published in the Journal of Ocean Sciences Foundation. According to the study, a new species of lantern shark was discovered off the Pacific coast.
Although the discovery is not entirely new, due to the fact that the shark was first seen nearly 5 years ago, new research endeavors have managed to shed some light on the new species of shark. The ninja lantern shark, commonly known as the ninja crow shark or the Etmopterus benchleyi, is small species of sharks that live in the deepest crevices of the ocean.
According to several reports recording the encounter with this stealthy micro shark, it would seem that the sea creature can literally glow in the dark, due to a couple of phosphorous cells embedded beneath his skin.
Though many would view this shark as being menacing, it would seem that we have nothing to worry about. And although the shark’s scientifical name is a tribute to Peter Benchley, the ninja crow shark is far from being as threatening as the Great White One from the Jaws franchise.
The largest male shark of this species measured only 50 centimeters in length. And it would seem that the reduced dimensions, in conjunction with the shark’s aerodynamical features, helps him withstand the great pressures found at the bottom of the ocean.
Recent observations have determined that the ninja sharks lurks at depths between 2700 to 4700 feet. As his name states, the shark is capable of emitting a faint light, which helps him to find his prey more easily.
Palm-fit glow-in-the-dark shark was discovered off the Pacific Coast, and it has some very impressive feats. Apart from its petite dimensions, the shark is also very capable of blending in with his surrounding. Also, with the help of his light-emitting phosphorous cells, the shark can efficiently hunt in the dark.
On the subject of dietary requirements, the team of scientists has made no assessments so far. Most of them speculate that the shark has the same diet as his distant cousins. Moreover, apart from his physiological features and his hunting behavior, the scientists don’t possess further data on the mysterious ninja-like shark.
Photo credits:www.wikimedia.org
