On the northwest coast of Spain, at the beach of Luarca, vacationers witnessed the appearance of an unusual creature resembling a mythical dragon. A deep-sea shark, weighing 18 kilograms and measuring 1.45 meters in length, attracted the interest of many people, as this species typically inhabits depths of up to 3500 meters.
According to the British publication The Mirror, local scientists immediately began investigating this unique find. Luis Laria, head of the Center for the Study and Protection of Marine Species, conducted an autopsy on the shark to determine the cause of its death. Inside the female, 12 embryos were found, indicating that she was pregnant.
Researchers established that the likely cause of the shark's death was mechanical damage — a 3.5-centimeter tear was found in its esophagus. Specialists suggest that the shark may have accidentally swallowed a fishing hook but managed to free itself from the line. However, the resulting injury led to severe bleeding, which caused it to wash ashore.
Also known as the Portuguese shark, this species was previously actively hunted for its fat and meat. Currently, they are endangered due to slow reproduction, and their capture is prohibited. The liver of the found shark weighed 5 kilograms, which constitutes a significant portion of its mass. In their natural habitat, these predators feed on fish and sometimes hunt giant squids.
The appearance of the shark sparked lively discussions among locals and tourists, many of whom began comparing it to a character from the animated film "How to Train Your Dragon." People noted its strange eyes and head shape, reminiscent of the dragon Toothless. Despite the sad outcome, the find provides scientists with an opportunity to gather valuable data about the biology of this rare species.
