2025-08-27T05:26:09Z

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Imagine stumbling upon a creature so rare and bizarre that it seems to have jumped straight out of a fantasy novel! Recently, fishermen near Tortuguero National Park in Costa Rica encountered an extraordinary sight: a bright orange shark that turned out to be a true marvel of nature.

This incredible fish, a nurse shark, was spotted last year, but it’s only now that the world is buzzing about it thanks to a groundbreaking study titled “First record case of free-living xanthism in the nurse shark Ginglymostoma cirratum (Bonnaterre, 1788) from the Caribbean Sea.” Imagine the thrill these fisherman must have felt capturing this incredible creature on camera before releasing it back into the ocean!

But what is xanthism, you ask? Well, it’s a rare condition that causes certain animals to develop bright yellow or orange pigmentation. While common in some species, seeing it in sharks is nearly unheard of. And this shark had a striking twist: its bright white eyes, a result of albinism, which occurs when there’s a significant lack of melanin, the pigment that gives color to skin, hair, and eyes. The researchers detailed how this shark, measuring about 200 cm in length, showcased an astonishing combination of intense yellow-orange coloration coupled with those striking white peepers. It’s a phenomenon known as albino-xanthochromism!

Scientists are still unraveling the implications of this discovery. They noted that this unique color pattern does not appear to hinder the shark's survival, which raises fascinating questions about the adaptability of these creatures. The travel company that shared the original images has seen a resurgence in interest since the study’s publication, reminding us once again of the ocean's endless mysteries. Their Facebook post at the time of the shark's sighting expressed awe, saying, “The vastness of the ocean amazes us every day!! We had the opportunity to get this mammal out of this peculiar orange color. The first time we see one of this color, if anyone has seen any resemblance, let us know.”

This oceanic wonder not only adds to the allure of marine life but also highlights the ongoing need for conservation and exploration of our planet's waters.