Meet the ancient ‘lizard shark’ that lived alongside dinosaurs still roams oceans

The frilled shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus) is a rare deep-sea species with rows of three-pointed gripping teeth. (This frilled shark was photographed in October 2004.) (Image: Kelvin Aitken/VWPics/AP)

For millions of years, the frilled shark has guarded oceans. Its ghostly looks and eel-like body have intrigued researchers. Long seen dead, it is a deep-sea mystery.

What Is a Frilled Shark and Why Is It Special?
The frilled shark, Chlamydoselachus anguineus, is a very old living shark. It has been around about 80 million years, a living fossil from the Cretaceous era. Its slow evolutionary change and unusual features have earned it the nickname “lizard shark”. Scientists describe it as a living fossil that resembles species known only from fossils.

How Do Frilled Sharks Look and Hunt?
Frilled sharks grow up to two metres in length. They have slender, eel-like bodies with a rounded snout and wide mouth. Six pairs of frilly gill slits give them their name. Their teeth create three rows of trident-pointed grip for securing prey. Prey consists largely of squid, with bony fish and little sharks also being hunted. Their jaws are elastic, enabling them to snap forward like snakes to catch food. Their stomachs may be full of whole squid, indicating how opportunistic predators they are.

(Image: Canva)

Where Do Frilled Sharks Live and Are They Dangerous?
These sharks dwell in deep waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. They prefer depths between 200 and 1,500 metres along slopes, canyons, and seamounts. Humans rarely encounter them, mostly through bycatch or submersible footage. Frilled sharks are harmless, and little danger comes from them because they live in a remote location. They are slow and shy away from people and only attack if provoked. Their extended gestation, 42 months, and low-littering rate inhibit population replenishment. The IUCN currently lists them as Least Concern globally.

Weird and Fascinating Facts About Frilled Sharks
Frilled sharks have the longest known pregnancy of any vertebrate. They can open their mouths wider than most sharks relative to size. Their approximately 300 teeth are perfectly suited for slippery prey. They swim in an undulating, eel-like motion. No live sighting of a frilled shark was made before 2004.

Researchers continue to research this deep-sea predator, uncovering its ancient origins and astounding adaptations. The frilled shark remains one of the ocean's least understood and most intriguing animals.