Frilled Shark Caught on Tape

A frilled shark caught on tape can be viewed over at Reuters.

This video was shot near Japan and aired January 24, 2007.

The "frilled shark" (Chlamydoselachus anguineus ) grows to around 2 metres in length and is characterized by its eel-like appearance, three-pronged teeth, caudal fin lacking a bottom lobe and six gill slits (six sets), among other items.

Named in 1884, this shark is a living representative of a primitive shark order, Hexanchiformes.

Found on outer continental and insular shelves and upper slopes, usually between 120 and 1,280 meters, it is occasionally caught at the surface. Although not known to be a danger to man, its teeth are sharp enough to inflict some harm though.

Their frilled and eel-like body is reminiscent of some "sea-serpent" accounts.