By Sheetal Kumari | August 28, 2025
Scuba divers in Costa Rica catch a glimpse of a nurse shark unlike any other, radiating bright golden-yellow beneath the water.
Image: Parismina Domus Dei/fb
Rather than dull grey or brown, the shark glowed in eye-popping orange-golden colours off Tortuguero National Park.
Image: Parismina Domus Dei/fb
At almost 2 metres in length, the elusive predator was observed 37 metres deep on a sport fishing tour.
Image: Parismina Domus Dei/fb
Scientists named the phenomenon xanthism, a rare pigment disorder resulting in excess golden colouration in skin and scales.
Image: Parismina Domus Dei/fb
This is the first recorded case of xanthism in a Caribbean shark, making the discovery internationally unique.
Image: Parismina Domus Dei/fb
Its white eyes told another story — albinism accompanied by xanthism, referred to as albino-xanthochromism.
Image: Parismina Domus Dei/fb
Lack of melanin caused its golden colours to shine brighter, a double rare overlapping of two pigment disorders.
Image: Parismina Domus Dei/fb
Scientists observe survival to adulthood is uncommon for so conspicuous of a predator in nature.
Image: Parismina Domus Dei/fb
Nurse sharks are still widespread but are threatened by overfishing and habitat loss throughout the Caribbean.
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In Marine Biodiversity, the find underscores genetic diversity and the need to preserve shark habitats.
Image: Parismina Domus Dei/fb