The Frilled Shark: A Living Fossil from the Deep

Lurking in the darkest depths of the ocean is a creature that looks more like a leviathan from ancient legend than a modern animal, introducing the frilled shark. With its long, eelish body, rows of backward-facing teeth, and ruffled gill slits that give it its name, this shark is often called a “living fossil.” And for good reason: it’s barely changed since its creation.

Frilled sharks are rarely seen by humans. They live far below the surface, often over 3,000 feet deep, where sunlight doesn’t reach and the pressure is crushing. Their prehistoric appearance and elusive nature have earned them a reputation as one of the ocean’s most mysterious creatures. But despite their terrifying looks, frilled sharks are slow, stealthy hunters that feed mostly on squid and small fish.

What makes the frilled shark so fascinating is its unique evolutionary lineage. Most sharks were familiar with such as the great whites or hammerheads, have established adaptations much more recently. But frilled sharks belong to a primitive branch of the shark family tree, making them an important species for scientists studying how marine life has adapted over millions of years.

Though they don’t live near coral reefs, frilled sharks still play a role in the health of deep sea ecosystems. As mid level predators, they help keep prey populations in check, maintaining the fragile balance that supports life in the deep. And since many reef species depend on the overall health of ocean food webs, protecting deep sea creatures like the frilled shark benefits the ocean as a whole.

Unfortunately, these ancient sharks now face modern threats. Deep sea fishing, ocean warming, and habitat disruption, especially from (you guessed it) deep sea mining, all put frilled sharks at risk. Since they reproduce slowly and live in areas humans are only beginning to explore, any disruption to their environment could be devastating. Like a lot of deep sea species, they may vanish before we fully understand them. (Sad leviathan noise)

Frilled sharks remind us how little we still know about our oceans, and how much we have to lose if we don’t act.

At Immoral Coral, we believe every strange and unseen species deserves a voice. By raising awareness and supporting conservation, we can help protect the unforgotten depths, and the creatures that call it home.