Rare Find Off Costa Rica
Sport fishermen off the coast of Costa Rica were stunned when they caught a bright orange nurse shark—a discovery never before documented. Sharing photos of the unusual catch, the anglers described it as “a once-in-a-lifetime event in marine history that astonishes biologists, fishers, and ocean enthusiasts alike.”
Identification of the Shark
The approximately two-meter-long shark is a nurse shark, recognizable by the distinctive “whisker-like” barbels on its snout. This marks the first documented case of a nurse shark displaying such a vivid orange coloration.
Cause of the Orange Color
A recent article in Marine Biodiversity explored the discovery, including interviews with the fishermen and photo analyses by international scientists. Experts concluded that a genetic pigment anomaly known as “albino xanthism” may be responsible for the unusual hue. In this condition, the darker pigments (melanin) are absent, revealing a yellow to orange-red coloration. Normally, nurse sharks have a grey-brown to yellow-brown color that helps them blend into the ocean floor.
The shark’s white eyes also indicate a degree of albinism. According to the report, the fishermen found the shark at a depth of 37 meters and released it shortly afterward. Scientists note that “this unique find suggests xanthism does not hinder the survival of this species.”
