Unprecedented Sighting Near Costa Rica
Fishermen off Costa Rica were left astonished when they hooked a strikingly orange nurse shark—a phenomenon never recorded before. The anglers shared photos of their catch, describing it as “an extraordinary moment in marine history that amazes scientists, fishers, and ocean enthusiasts alike.”
Shark Identification
The unusual shark measured roughly two meters and was identified as a nurse shark, easily recognized by the characteristic “whisker-like” barbels on its snout. This individual represents the first documented case of a nurse shark exhibiting such a vivid orange coloration.
Genetic Explanation
Researchers writing in Marine Biodiversity analyzed the discovery, speaking with the fishermen and reviewing photos of the shark. They suggest that the orange coloration may be caused by a rare genetic pigment condition called “albino xanthism,” which results in the loss of dark pigments (melanin) and reveals a yellow to reddish-orange hue. Normally, nurse sharks are grey-brown to yellow-brown, a coloration that helps them camouflage on the ocean floor.
The shark’s pale eyes further indicate albinism. Found at a depth of 37 meters, the shark was released shortly after being caught. Scientists concluded that “this exceptional specimen indicates that xanthism does not appear to affect the species’ survival.”
