today’s shark is extra special because it is extra rare: the megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios). this uber-rare, deep water bad boy was discovered in 1976.
size: up to 18 ft. / up to 2,680 lbs.
habitat: pacific, atlantic & indian oceans anywhere from 150-1000 meters deep
prey: plankton & jellyfish
fun facts: the megamouth is so different from other shark lineages that it has been placed in its own family: Megachasmidae. very little is actually known about these sharks, as most specimens are either found stranded (already dead) or accidentally caught. there have been observations of megamouth sharks being attacked by sperm whales. they are not very good surface swimmers, slow and often confused. the megamouth has approximately fifty rows of very small and relatively numerous teeth on each jaw, but only three rows are functional. Females seem to present fewer teeth rows than males. upper and lower jaws have a symphyseal (where the two halves of the jaw meet) toothless space, but it is larger in upper jaw.
also, i must again note: this shark is HARMLESS TO HUMANS. and still bad ass.
