A Strange “Dragon-Like” Deep-Sea Ghost Shark has Been Spotted
Ghost sharks, also known as chimeras, have inhabited the depths of the ocean for hundreds of millions of years.
In 1928, a talented young man named H. P. Lovecraft introduced the world to his character Cthulhu, a monstrous being from the ocean’s depths that invaded the Earth. The backstory of this horror story’s creator is much more intricate than a menacing sea creature, yet it highlights humanity’s fascination with what lies beneath the waves. While humans often instill fear by hunting these creatures, Lovecraft was right about one thing: there are creatures that defy our understanding of living organisms.
One such creature has recently been discovered: a peculiar fish resembling the iconic scaled dragon, but with a pale pink coloration.
While many organisms in the water have been classified and their species identified for centuries, encountering them firsthand is an indescribable experience. Photographer Roman Fedorstov’s social media is filled with extraordinary critters that he encounters on his journeys, serving as proof of this.
One of his recent images captured an unusual dragon-like fish with a long tail, protruding eyes, and a color palette ranging from grey to pastel pink. The photographer appeared astonished by his discovery, though he did not provide any additional information apart from a quote from Lovecraft: “It is one thing to follow something nameless, but it is quite another to find it.”
Instagram users quickly began speculating about the origins of this bizarre fish, as its appearance seemed to originate from a universe different from our own. Initially, there were suggestions of a new species of flying dragonfish, but it was later revealed to be a chimera.
The assumption made by the users seems to be correct, and the peculiar fish depicted in Roman’s photograph is related to cartilaginous marine creatures such as manta rays and sharks. According to experts, this fantastical dragon fish is actually a ghost shark, a species rarely observed due to its preference for the depths of the ocean.
Where does the ghost shark live?
Ghost sharks, also referred to as chimeras, are essentially living fossils, having existed since the Devonian period 419 million years ago. What sets them apart and gives them their ghostly appearance is their cartilaginous structure. Instead of a bony skeleton, they have sections of their bodies stiffened with cartilage plates.
They are primarily found in the depths of the ocean, reaching depths of up to 2,600 meters in a region known as the bathyal zone. Consequently, they are rarely encountered near the surface, where most expeditions take place. In fact, very little is known about their behavior, and there are limited photographs of them in their natural habitat. However, thanks to the viral nature of social media, more people will be able to witness these fascinating ghost sharks and appreciate the diversity of marine life.
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