Well, technically it’s not new : it’s a nurse shark. What’s new, however, is that it’s the first xanthic (imagine albinism but in yellow) nurse shark ever found !! Not only it’s not common AT ALL to find fishes with xanthism (it’s the first cartilagenous fish ever recorded with this type of genetic “anomally”), but if it’s there and still existing as an adult, it means the species is chill-ish with other predators (it probably would have been eaten by then). Its eyes are white so it can also be a form of albinism, in addition to xanthism !!!!!
And most of all : ITS SO CUTE !! AND IT’S SUCH A COOL FIND !!
Please if a marine biologist or someone with more info can interact with this post to feed me some more info or correct me on wrong infos i’e given I’d love it !
(Also if you have pics of animals with xanthism, it’s also very appreciated!!)
i think one of my fave shark facts is this thing that some species of sharks do where they sorta peek their heads out of the water to see whats above the surface…..its called spyhopping and great white sharks do it all the time
This always makes me happy, because the source video shows that the shark actually wanted this. It experienced it once and then kept coming back for more petting.
(also, because i’ve seen comments about this: the shark is able to breathe while still, not all species need to be in motion to pass water through their gills. If you look closely, you can see its gills pumping)
I would very much like if more people would pet sharks and be good to them instead of trying to hurt them please
Sharks are very lovely and should get pettings like these more :)
man ok so shark diving suits are made of mail because what mail does best is block sharp things from puncturing you; and they LOVE the feeling of being petted with a mail glove
