Scientists believe that a pregnant 7-foot porbeagle shark was eaten by a much bigger shark in what they say is the first such case of its kind.
A pregnant 7-foot porbeagle shark appeared to have been eaten by an even larger shark in what researchers believe is the first such evidence of the ocean hunter becoming the hunted.
The data collected from the shark showed that in the days before the tag detached, its diving patterns had become erratic. Its temperature readings also increased despite swimming at a deep enough depth that would have made the readings much cooler, according to the study. Using this data, researchers determined that the tag had spent several days in the stomach of another animal.
The researchers surmised that the ocean apex predator had become prey for a bigger shark, of which they say only two are big enough to have eaten the pregnant 7-footer: the white shark and the shortfin mako. James Sulikowski, director of the Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station at Oregon State University who also took part in the research, told USA Today that the study shows the ocean still contains many mysteries that scientists want to solve.
It makes us want to study more and learn more about how susceptible other large sharks are to be eaten and who is the top dog out there,' he said.
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