Sharks are quintessential creatures in the earth’s ocean. Despite this, many are rare or near the brink of extinction. Below, you can explore a few of the most interesting.
On this list, readers can find descriptions of ten of the most weird and unusual sharks to have ever lived in the earth’s oceans. A few are extinct, others are rare, and more are still commonly found throughout various oceans.
Goblin Shark
Why it’s unusual: It has an unusually long extruding snout
Interesting fact: Its pale pink skin helps it camouflage in the ocean depths
The Goblin shark is a rare species of deep-sea shark that truly lives up to its name. Its most notable feature is its unusually long, flat snout, which gives it an almost prehistoric, “fossil-like” appearance. Adding to the eerie effect is its pale pink skin, visible through its semi-transparent flesh.
But the Goblin shark’s most bizarre characteristic is its jaw. When prey comes near, its jaw extends rapidly outward, resembling something out of the movie “Alien.” It has incredibly sharp, narrow teeth, perfect for snagging unsuspecting rat-tail fish and squid in the dark depths. Goblin sharks can grow to be around 10-13 feet in length, but they are rarely encountered by humans. These elusive creatures prefer the deep ocean, typically residing at depths of around 330 feet (100 meters) or more.
Greenland Shark
Why it’s unusual: It is highly toxic and smells like urine
Interesting fact: It’s the only shark that can live in the frigid Arctic waters
The Greenland shark is a sluggish giant that lurks in the frigid waters of the Arctic and North Atlantic. This shark can grow to over 20 feet (6 meters) long and weigh over a ton. It’s often called a “sleeper shark” due to its incredibly slow swimming speed – less than 1.8 miles (3 kilometers) per hour! But perhaps the most unusual feature of the Greenland shark is its eyes. Many are partially blind, thanks to a parasitic copepod that attaches to their corneas.
Despite its impaired vision, the Greenland shark is a surprisingly successful predator, feeding on a variety of fish, seals, and even reindeer! Its flesh is toxic when raw due to high levels of urea and trimethylamine oxide, giving it a distinct urine-like odor. Yet, despite this unappetizing characteristic, it’s considered a delicacy in Iceland, where it’s fermented to create a dish called Hákarl.
Sawshark
Why it’s unusual: It has a strange-looking snout shaped like a saw
Interesting fact: Its snout is lined with sharp teeth on either side
The Sawshark is an unusual shark that immediately grabs your attention with its long, saw-like snout (called a rostrum). This unique appendage is lined with sharp teeth, giving it the appearance of a saw. But it’s not just for show. The Sawshark uses its toothed rostrum to slash through schools of fish, stunning or injuring prey before devouring them.
While Sawsharks can be found in oceans across the world, they are most common in the warm waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. These weird-looking sharks are bottom-dwellers, preferring to prowl the seabed in search of fish, crustaceans, and squid.
Helicoprion
Why it’s unusual: It has a very unique ‘tooth whorl’
Interesting fact: It lived 290 million years ago in North America
This extinct species of shark is a very interesting addition to this list. The Helicoprion was originally thought to be a shark but is closely related to ratfish. It lived 290 million years ago and had a spiral of teeth unlike anything seen in the animal kingdom. Sadly, only these fossilized “tooth whorls” have survived the test of time, leaving scientists to puzzle over the creature’s true appearance.
Based on fossil finds and some creative reconstruction, it is believed that these tooth whorls were set at the back of the jaw and not the front. However, how it used this bizarre dental apparatus remains a mystery. Theories range from slicing through schools of fish to digging up cephalopods from the seabed. It’s believed that the Helicoprion prowled the oceans of North America, Eastern Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Megalodon
Why it’s unusual: It has a very unique ‘tooth whorl’
Interesting fact: It lived 290 million years ago in North America
Megalodon was the biggest shark in history, reaching the size of a school bus. This prehistoric giant grew up to 80 feet (25 meters) long, dwarfing even the largest Great White shark. Megalodon lived millions of years ago and preyed on whales, dolphins, and other large marine animals. Its huge, serrated teeth were perfect for tearing into its prey.
Scientists believe Megalodon was unusually warm-blooded, allowing it to hunt in different ocean environments. It eventually died out around 3 million years ago, likely due to changes in climatic conditions, fluctuations in sea levels and a decline in food sources. Fossil teeth from Megalodon are found all over the world, reminding us of this massive and impressive predator.
Basking Shark
Why it’s unusual: It has an unusually large mouth for filter-feeding
Interesting fact: When it decomposes, it looks like a sea monster
The Basking shark may look like a fearsome predator with its massive size and cavernous mouth, but it’s actually a gentle giant. Reaching lengths of up to 30 feet (9 meters), this shark is a filter feeder. This means it swims through the water with its mouth wide open, filtering out tiny plankton and small fish.
What makes the Basking shark truly unusual is its habit of “basking” at the surface. They often appear to be sunbathing, slowly cruising through the water with their mouths agape, giving them a rather goofy appearance. This behavior, along with their mottled grey-brown skin and distinctively large gill slits, makes them easily recognizable. While they prefer the temperate waters around the world, these slow-moving giants are a fascinating sight to behold.
Wobbegong Shark
Why it’s unusual: It has fringed skin-flaps around its mouth
Interesting fact: They can dislocate their jaws
With a name like “Wobbegong,” you know this shark has to be unusual. Wobbegongs are a species of carpet shark. They have flattened bodies and are covered in intricate patterns that help them blend in with the ocean floor. But what truly sets the Wobbegong shark apart is its “shaggy beard.” This fringe of whisker-like growths around its mouth helps attract unsuspecting prey, like a lure dangling in front of a hungry fish.
Wobbegong sharks are ambush predators, patiently lying in wait until an unlucky fish or crustacean wanders too close. These bottom-dwelling sharks prefer the warm, tropical waters of the Pacific and eastern Indian Oceans.
Hammerhead Shark
Why it’s unusual: It has a hammer-shaped head with eyes on either end
Interesting fact: They swim sideways to conserve energy
The Hammerhead shark is instantly recognizable by its hammer-shaped head. Those wide-set eyes give the hammerhead a panoramic view, allowing it to see above and below simultaneously. Its “hammer” is packed with electrical sensors which help it detect the faint electrical fields generated by prey hidden in the sand. And it also helps with quick turns, making these sharks agile hunters.
But the weirdness doesn’t stop there. Hammerhead sharks are sideways swimmers. They often tilt their bodies, which seems awkward, but it’s actually the most energy-efficient way for them to move through the water.
Cookie Cutter Shark
Why it’s unusual: It has a hammer-shaped head with eyes on either end
Interesting fact: They swim sideways to conserve energy
The Cookie Cutter shark is also known as the Cigar shark. It is a formidable predator with a bizarre feeding strategy. This shark, which only grows to about 22 inches (55 centimeters) long, earns its name by taking perfectly round “bites” out of much larger animals, including whales, dolphins, and even large fish.
The Cookie Cutter shark has specialized lips that allow it to suction onto its prey. Then, with its razor-sharp teeth and a twisting motion, it removes chunks of flesh, leaving a crater-like wound. Adding to its unusual nature, the Cookie Cutter shark undertakes daily vertical migrations, rising from depths of around 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) to shallower waters at night.
Frilled Shark
Why it’s unusual: It looks like a “living fossil”
Interesting fact: It has remained unchanged for almost 80 million years
The Frilled shark is deep-sea dweller that has earned the nickname “living fossil” due to its primitive appearance. This unusual shark has a long, slender body, reaching up to 6.6 feet (2 meters) in length, and a head that resembles a lizard more than a typical shark. But the most striking feature is its six pairs of frilly gills, which give the impression of a ruffled collar around its neck.
The Frilled shark’s mouth is equally unusual. Filled with rows of three-pronged teeth, it’s perfect for snagging squid and fish in the dark depths. And its hunting style is just as unique. Scientists believe the Frilled shark may strike like a snake, using its flexible body to launch forward and capture prey.
Ocean Insights: Hear From Our Experts
By Dr. Rabiah Ryklief
Principal Scientist and Lecturer of Marine Science, with a PhD in Zoology
While sharks often evoke images of fearsome predators, their role in the ocean is far more complex than just hunting prey. Emerging research suggests that sharks play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, from coral reefs to seagrass meadows. They influence the behavior of their prey, transport nutrients across habitats, and even help regulate populations of other fish. In some cases, the presence of sharks has been shown to increase an ecosystem's resilience to disturbances like climate change. However, it is critical to note that the importance of sharks varies depending on the species and the specific ecosystem.
FAQs
What is the most interesting shark?
Some of the most interesting sharks are the goblin and cookie-cutter sharks. These two very different sharks are featured on this list because of their unique appearances and abilities.
What is the rarest type of shark?
One of the rarest types of shark is the Ganges shark. Very little is known about this shark; besides that, it lives in the Ganges River, and it is considered to be critically endangered.
What kinds of sharks are rare?
Some rare types of sharks are the Ganges shark, the goblin shark, the frilled shark, the sharpnose sevengill shark, and the megamouth shark.
