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A Greenland shark in the Caribbean? How the fish found itself thousands of miles from its home
This unusual species of shark was found off the coast of Belize. How did a fish that swims only in Arctic waters make it this far?
The Greenland / Polar shark , or Somniosus microcephalus, is a species of unusual spiny fish in the family Somniosidae that live in the frigid waters of the Arctic, Greenland and the North Atlantic. These creatures are among the slowest swimming fish. It most often migrates in herds, and preys on smaller fish and marine mammals including seals. The oldest polar shark known to scientists is 392 years old and is the oldest vertebrate to date.
Scientists have not been able to collect a genetic sample of the creature.
Scientists suspect that a representative of the species was seen in late April near Belize. The animal was captured by two fishermen who were on a boat with a marine biologist. The scientist was conducting research on tiger sharks as part of his doctoral thesis.
The men managed to take a photo of the creature, but before taking any genetic sample, they released it back into the water. They were forced to do so by an approaching storm that could have threatened the safety of the sailors.
