Frilled sharks are an unusual and ancient species residing in the deep ocean. Often referred to as “living fossils,” these creatures have maintained many primitive characteristics over millions of years. Their elusive nature has long captivated researchers and sparked public curiosity regarding their dimensions, distinct features, and habitats.
Unpacking Their Dimensions
Frilled sharks exhibit specific size ranges, with females typically growing larger than males. A female frilled shark can reach a maximum length of up to 6.6 feet (2.0 meters), while males are somewhat smaller, with a recorded maximum of 5.6 feet (1.7 meters) long. Most frilled sharks encountered are around 5 feet in length. While their average weight is around 200 pounds, this can vary.
The typical length for frilled sharks generally falls between 4 and 6.67 feet (1.22 and 2.03 meters). This variability in reported sizes stems from their deep-sea habitat, which makes precise measurements and extensive study challenging. Their elongated bodies, combined with a lightly calcified skeleton and large, oil-filled liver, enable them to maintain buoyancy with minimal effort in their deep-water environment.
A Glimpse into Their Appearance
The frilled shark has a distinctive appearance. Its body is long and slender, resembling an eel, with fins positioned far back towards the tail. The head is broad and flattened, featuring a short, rounded snout and a mouth at the front, unlike most sharks. Their skin coloration typically ranges from dark brown to grayish.
A prominent characteristic is six pairs of gill slits with a unique frilly margin. The first pair connects underneath the throat, forming a collar-like structure that gives the shark its name.
Inside its mouth, the frilled shark has around 300 needle-sharp teeth across approximately 25 rows. Each tooth has three sharp points, designed to hook and hold slippery prey like squid.
Deep-Sea Dwellers
Frilled sharks are primarily inhabitants of the deep ocean, typically found along the outer continental shelves and upper continental slopes. They commonly reside at depths ranging from 390 to 4,200 feet (120 to 1,280 meters), though they have been recorded as deep as 5,150 feet (1,570 meters). These sharks are occasionally observed closer to the surface, particularly during nighttime, possibly for feeding.
Their distribution is widespread yet patchy across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Specific regions include the waters off Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, and the coasts of California and Chile. In the Atlantic, they are found from Norway to Namibia. The significant depths at which they live make them rarely encountered by humans, limiting understanding of their ecology and behaviors.