14 DAY TRIAL // Say what you will about sharks being terrifying predators of the deep, this doesn't change the fact that they are majestic creatures. Except for Pseudotriakis microdon, that is.
This shark species is guaranteed to send shivers down your spine, but not because of its killer instincts. It's its looks that will have you running for the hills, screaming.
Recently, a specimen was captured by marine biologists in Scottish waters, close to the Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides. Scroll down to have a look at it, but best brace yourselves first.
DM tells us this is only the second Pseudotriakis microdon so far discovered swimming off Scotland’s coastline. Hence, the marine biologists were quite excited to capture it.
“I was pretty surprised when it landed in our boat. We hadn't seen one in ten years,” researcher Francis Neat with Marine Scotland commented on the find in an interview.
“It's not unique to Scotland, but it's certainly interesting to look at - it's a big and baggy looking creature. It looks a lot like a soft, discarded sofa when it's just lying there,” he added.
This shark species is a rare, elusive one
Pseudotriakis microdon, otherwise known as the false catfish, was first described by a Portuguese researcher by the name of Félix de Brito Capelo back in 1868.
The species is found all across the globe. It lives at depths of about 500 to 1,400 meters (1,600 to 4,600 feet). At least for now, wildlife researchers can't say how many such creatures populate Earth's seas and oceans. Thus, they don't have enough data to give us a population estimate.
What they do know is that Pseudotriakis microdon usually grow to measure about 3 meters (9.8 feet) in length. The species has long and narrow eyes that don't really fit its oversized body, and its mouth accommodates for rows of teeny tiny but quite sharp teeth.
The species is known to prey on fish and whatever invertebrates it comes across while swimming around. Squid and octopuses are among its favorites. All the same, it doesn't shy away from feeding on carcasses when opportunity presents itself.
