The Frilled Shark’s Jaw Can Unhinge to Swallow Prey Half Its Size

This deep-sea shark lunges forward and swallows prey nearly half its own length.

Top Ad Slot
🤯 Did You Know (click to read)

Its flexible skull structure differs significantly from that of most contemporary shark species.

Unlike most modern sharks, the frilled shark has a terminal mouth at the front of its head and flexible jaws that allow it to lunge forward, almost snake-like, to capture prey. Its elongated body and loose jaw structure enable it to engulf large squid relative to its size.

Mid-Content Ad Slot
💥 Impact (click to read)

In the dark abyss where visibility is nearly zero, speed and surprise replace pursuit. The frilled shark’s strike resembles that of a striking snake, compressing and then extending its body in a sudden burst that seems biomechanically improbable for a fish.

That forward lunging mechanism is a relic of ancient shark lineages dating back over 80 million years. It represents an evolutionary blueprint so old that it predates many modern marine ecosystems, yet it remains lethally effective in one of Earth’s harshest environments.

Source

Smithsonian Ocean

LinkedIn Reddit

⚡ Ready for another mind-blower?

‹ Previous Next ›

💬 Comments