Rare sleeper shark filmed in Antarctic waters for the first time

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For the first time, scientists have captured video of a sleeper shark swimming in the icy waters of Antarctica. This is a very unusual sighting, as these sharks are rarely seen in such cold environments.

Jessica Kolbusz, an oceanographer with the Minderoo-University of Western Australia Deep-Sea Research Center, saw a shark while doing research in the Southern Ocean near Antarctica, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

It’s very unusual to see sharks this far south because the water is so cold. Out of the around 500 types of sharks in the world, only five have ever been spotted in the Southern Ocean.

First sleeper shark filmed in the Southern Ocean

A Greenland shark was captured on video swimming at a depth of 490 meters (about 1,608 feet) in very cold water measuring 1.27°C (34°F).

According to ABC, Kolbusz was surprised because this marks the first time footage of a sleeper shark – or any similar cartilaginous fish – has ever been captured in the Southern Ocean.

In the footage, the shark slowly moved into view before darting away from the camera.

Kolbusz explained that it was difficult to identify the shark’s exact species from the video because different types of sleeper sharks look very alike. They took water samples to analyze the shark’s DNA and hopefully figure out what kind it was.

Sleeper sharks, part of the Somniosidae family, are easily recognized by their spotted skin and small fins. This family includes long-lived species like the Greenland shark, which may live for centuries, as well as the Pacific and Southern sleeper sharks.

In early 2025, Kolbusz spotted another sleeper shark, this time in the Tonga Trench in the southwest Pacific Ocean. The shark was filmed at a depth of 4,593 feet (1,400 meters) in water that was 2.5°C. It was caught on camera biting bait, which allowed researchers to get a rare, detailed view inside its mouth.

Seeing a shark in Antarctica is unusual, but these sightings are happening more often. Historically, the frigid temperatures of the Southern Ocean made it difficult to confirm shark presence, but that’s starting to change.

A photographer recently captured rare photos of a Ross Seal in the Antarctic Ocean and shared them on Instagram, quickly gaining attention online back in January.

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2026-02-17 20:48