Big news from way down south in Antarctica (南極洲)! Scientists got a big surprise. They saw a shark! Not just any shark, but a sleeper shark (睡鯊). It was swimming deep in the really, really cold water.
What Happened?
Some scientists were checking out the ocean near Antarctica. They use special cameras that can go deep under the sea. These cameras help them see what kinds of animals live there. One day, the camera saw something amazing: a big shark!
Why is this a big deal?
Well, most people thought sharks didn’t like super cold water. Antarctica is one of the coldest places on Earth. The water where the shark was swimming was almost freezing! It was about 1.27 degrees Celsius (34.29 degrees Fahrenheit). That’s colder than your ice cream!
Alan Jamieson, a scientist, said they didn’t expect to see any sharks. But there it was, a big, strong shark swimming along. He said it was like a “tank” because it was so big and sturdy. The shark was about 3 to 4 meters long (10 to 13 feet). Imagine a shark as long as a small car!
Where was the shark?
The shark was swimming near some islands called the South Shetland Islands (南設得蘭群島). This area is in the Antarctic Ocean, also called the Southern Ocean. It’s super far south on the map.
What kind of shark was it?
It was a sleeper shark. Sleeper sharks are slow swimmers. They usually live in deep, cold waters. Scientists think this one was looking for food. Maybe it was hoping to find a dead whale or squid that had sunk to the bottom of the ocean.
A Friend Nearby
While the shark was swimming, the camera also saw a skate (鰩魚). Skates are like stingrays (魔鬼魚), and they are related to sharks. The skate didn’t seem scared of the shark at all. It just stayed still on the bottom of the ocean.
Why Now?
Scientists are wondering why they are seeing sharks in Antarctica now. One idea is that the ocean is getting warmer because of climate change. Maybe the sharks are moving south to find cooler water.
Peter Kyne, another scientist, said that this is a very important discovery. It shows that we still have a lot to learn about the animals that live in Antarctica. He said the shark was in the right place, and the camera was in the right place. It was lucky!
More Surprises?
The scientists think there might be more sharks living in the Antarctic Ocean. But it’s hard to find them because the water is so deep and cold. Also, the cameras can only work for a few months each year, during the summer. So, there could be many more surprises waiting to be discovered!
Other Cool Facts about Antarctic Sharks
Some other types of sharks, like the Antarctic lanternshark, have also been found in the Southern Ocean. These sharks are usually small and glow in the dark!
Scientists are still studying how sharks can survive in such cold water. They think the sharks might have special chemicals in their bodies that keep them from freezing.
Finding sharks in Antarctica shows how important it is to protect this special place. The Antarctic Ocean is home to many amazing animals, and we need to keep it clean and healthy for them.
