🦈 A Rare Sight: Bright Orange Nurse Shark Makes Scientific History in the Caribbean

In a stunning and unprecedented discovery, fishers off the coast of Costa Rica caught and released a bright orange nurse shark — a creature that has now made scientific history due to its extraordinary coloration and genetic traits.

🌈 What Makes This Shark Unique?

• The nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) displayed vivid orange skin, a dramatic departure from its typical yellow to gray-brown tones.

• Scientists confirmed the shark had xanthism (also known as xanthochroism), a rare genetic condition that causes excessive yellow pigmentation.

• Remarkably, the shark also showed signs of albinism, including striking white eyes, making it the first documented case of both conditions occurring simultaneously in this species.

🔬 Why It Matters

• This is the first scientifically recorded instance of a nurse shark exhibiting xanthism, making it a landmark moment in marine biology.

• The dual presence of xanthism and albinism is extremely rare in any animal, let alone a shark — offering new insights into genetic expression and pigmentation in marine life.

• The discovery was made by fishers near Parismina, Limón, and the shark was safely released after documentation.

📸 Public Reaction

• Photos of the shark have captivated scientists and the public alike, with its fiery orange hue earning it nicknames like “the sunset shark” and “the golden ghost.”

• Marine biologists are now calling for further research into pigmentation anomalies in sharks and other deep-sea species.