Do you have it in orange? This rare shark discovery has scientists fascinated

In the waters off Costa Rica, a sport fisherman made an extraordinary discovery: a nurse shark with an unusual appearance. Instead of the typical grey-brown or yellow-brown colouring, the shark's body was an intense tangerine-orange, and its eyes appeared almost completely white. This rare combination of pigmentation conditions, known as xanthism, has never been documented before in a nurse shark, nor in any cartilaginous fish of the Caribbean.

The shark, measuring around two metres in length, was caught at about 37 metres below the surface but was immediately released back into the sea. The photographs taken during the encounter allowed scientists to study this unique shark, providing valuable insights into a creature whose biology remains largely unknown. The discovery of this orange nurse shark is significant as it represents the first documented case of xanthism in a nurse shark and the first reported case of such a condition in a cartilaginous fish of the Caribbean.

While the exact cause of the unusual pigmentation remains unknown, researchers believe it may be linked to genetic factors. This rare sighting offers scientists a rare opportunity to study a creature that is otherwise difficult to observe, shedding light on the potential variation within a familiar species. For now, the orange nurse shark continues its life beneath the Caribbean waves, a living testament to the fascinating diversity that exists within the ocean's depths.