In a jaw-dropping revelation, rare footage of what some call “alien” sharks in their natural habitat has been shared by a wildlife biologist who embarked on a remarkable journey off the coast of South Africa. These enigmatic pyjama sharks exhibit a hunting style that is both rare and reminiscent of crocodiles, as they employ a ‘death roll’ technique instead of using their teeth to saw through prey.
These aquatic creatures, uniquely indigenous to South Africa, rely on their keen sense of smell while navigating the depths of the vast African Sea forest. Wildlife biologist Forrest Galante chanced upon these sharks and initially believed they were engaged in a fierce struggle. To his astonishment, he later realized that they were, in fact, in the midst of a mating ritual, an occurrence he had never witnessed before.
Galante can be heard describing the mating behavior in the video for a new TV show as part of Shark Week on Discovery, saying, “Look at how the male bites onto her and moves up her body, before inserting his clasper into his cloaca.” The narrator goes on to explain that if the mating proves successful, the female will later deposit a fertilized egg on the seafloor, and approximately six months down the line, a young shark will emerge.
Pyjama sharks derive their moniker from their distinctive black and grey striped bodies and belong to the species of catsharks, typically growing to about three feet in length. Galante remarked to Live Science, “I think we’re the first ones to ever record [pyjama sharks mating]. Honestly, just seeing it… I’m getting goosebumps thinking about it because it was such an amazing experience to see this first-hand.”
He revealed that one of the camera operators initially mistook the two sharks for engaging in combat: “I saw the male grasped onto the female, and I could see him starting to wind his body. So I knew immediately what they were doing. Then just as quickly as it started, you just see him let go and boom, they’re both gone. And that was it, it was all over.”
This mesmerizing footage was captured within the only giant bamboo kelp forest on Earth, an expansive ecosystem stretching hundreds of miles from the tip of South Africa to Namibia. These “alien” sharks, with their extraordinary mating rituals and unique hunting techniques, continue to reveal the wonders of the underwater world, reminding us of the hidden marvels that await discovery beneath the waves.
