1 fish, 2 fish, red fish – an orange shark?

Researchers recently stumbled upon a strikingly bright orange shark, its creamsicle-colored skin a result of two rare genetic conditions affecting deep-sea predators.

This notable discovery was made during a fishing expedition in Tortuguro National Park, Costa Rica, in August 2024. The scientists managed to capture some photographs of this unique shark before releasing it back into the wild.

Experts praised this find as the first recorded instance of an orange shark, according to a report from the Marine Biodiversity Journal.

This nurse shark, typically found in Costa Rica’s Coastal Marine Parks, appears to have been born with a genetic condition called Xanthism. This condition causes certain pigments, like orange and yellow, to be more prominent, overshadowing the usual darker pigmentation.

Additionally, it seems that the shark may also have a condition that reduces melanin production, which can lead to lighter physical features, similar to how Koi fish are colored. Interestingly, the shark’s eyes were noted to be a pale white, lacking any visible iris.

The combination of these genetic traits resulted in the shark’s stunning appearance. Researchers have also suggested that environmental factors such as stress, hormonal issues, or even inbreeding might contribute to these vibrant colors.

Typically, nurse sharks sport light brown skin, which helps them blend seamlessly into their surroundings, accompanied by dark eyes encircled by a white cornea.

Despite its unusual coloration, this orange shark has surprisingly reached adulthood, a feat that some might have doubted, given its lack of proper camouflage.

While such variations are uncommon in sharks, they have been observed more frequently in other species, both terrestrial and aquatic.

For instance, earlier this year, an Iowa family encountered a pair of albino deer while celebrating their son’s 13th birthday. They initially confused the white-deer duo among a herd of normally pigmented deer.

Similarly, a group of albino kangaroos was taken to animal sanctuaries in Australia, nearly exceeding the numbers of the typical kangaroo population.