A group of friends enjoying a fishing trip at the Tortuguero National Park recently made an unusual revelation. After reeling in what they thought was just another fish, they were surprised to find a shark on the line.

Though,this was no ordinary shark. The fishermen were astonished to see that the shark was bright orange with white eyes, a sight none of them had ever encountered before. One of the fishermen even joked about it being an “alien.”

Marine biologists have identified the creature as a nurse shark. They believe its unique coloration is due to Xanthism, also known as Xanthochroism, a pigment disorder resulting in excessive yellow or gold skin due to a lack of red pigment.

rare Condition in Caribbean Cartilage Fish

“I’ve never seen this.”

According to research conducted by the Federal University of Rio Grande, this is the first time Xanthism has been observed in cartilage fish in the Caribbean.

Vulnerability of the Orange Shark

The shark also exhibited characteristics of albinism, including striking white eyes. Nurse sharks typically have brown skin, which helps them blend into the seabed while hunting. The bright orange skin and white eyes make this particular shark more visible and, therefore, more vulnerable to predators.

While some researchers suggest that animals with Xanthism have a lower chance of survival, the scientists studying this shark believe that this case demonstrates that this isn’t always the case.

Nurse sharks can grow up to 4.30 meters long and are generally harmless to humans unless they feel threatened.