Ancient, rarely seen shark with 300 teeth found in ocean

Frilled shark found off coast of Portugal

(Image courtesy: IPMA)

PORTUGAL – Researchers have captured what they said is a shark from the dinosaur age off the coast of Portugal.

The rare Frilled shark was caught by a crew aboard a boat used for commercial fishing. It is seldom found alive or even seen. 

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According to a Portugese TV station, scientists from Portugal's Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere called the shark a "living fossil" because its remains have dated back 80 million years.

The shark was measured at 5 feet in length and caught at a depth of 2,300 feet.

It has a snake-like body and gets its name from its arrangement of 300 teeth.

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Scientist believe the shark may capture prey by bending its body and lunging forward like a snake. 

The shark’s long, flexible jaws enable it to swallow prey whole, while its teeth trap and make it difficult for the prey to escape.


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RJ Marquez is the traffic anchor/reporter for KSAT’s Good Morning San Antonio. He also fills in as a news anchor and has covered stories from breaking news and Fiesta to Spurs championships and high school sports. RJ started at KSAT in 2010. He is proud to serve our viewers and be a part of the culture and community that makes San Antonio great.