Porbeagle shark devoured by great white shark in surprising discovery
In a surprising turn of events, scientists have found evidence suggesting that an adult porbeagle, a formidable predator in its own right, may have been eaten by an even larger predator. The shocking revelation came after a porbeagle wearing a tracking device went missing in 2020. The tracking device, which eventually turned up, provided crucial data that pointed to a grisly fate. Marine biologist Brooke Anderson and her team from the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries published their findings Sept. 3 in Frontiers in Marine Science.
This discovery marks the first documented case of an adult porbeagle being eaten by another shark.
New findings on porbeagle shark predation
Porbeagle sharks (Lamna nasus) are large, aggressive predators known for preying on a variety of fish species, including mackerel and cod. These sharks can grow to over three meters in length, making it surprising that one would fall victim to another shark. Tracking data, collected from tags attached during a routine survey, indicated an unusual increase in temperature at significant depths, suggesting that the tag was no longer attached to a porbeagle, but was inside a larger predator.
Tracking Data Points to Great White Shark
Analysis of the recovered tag data revealed that the temperature readings were too warm for a large marine mammal such as an orca, but were consistent with the internal temperatures of large fish species. Based on previous to researchThe most likely culprit is a great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias).
While it is still uncertain exactly which predator it was, the evidence strongly points to a great white shark.
Alternative theories and expert opinions
While the evidence points to a great white shark, Megan Winton, a shark scientist with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, points out that other scenarios are possible. Winton notes that the tag could have been eaten without the shark itself being eaten, or that another porbeagle could have been involved.
