A great white shark, measuring nine feet long, has been eaten by an even larger predator. This has sent some observers on the hunt for a mysterious 30-foot long super shark.
The attack took place off the coast of Western Australia. Remains of the carcass washed up on shore four months after the killing. The prey arrived on the beach, complete with a satellite tracking tag.
The device showed it had been subjected to great depths underwater, as well as warm temperatures, consistent with the internal temperature of a great white shark. No light was seen by the sensor for three weeks before the device came onto land. Researchers reportedly said these readings indicate the tag and the animal attached to it were eaten by a much-larger predator. Remains that washed up on the land also show signs of bleaching, evidence of being subjected to stomach acid.
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) was documenting the white shark satellite tagging program when the remains were identified.
"At one point the shark that had eaten the tag dived to a depth of [1,870 feet] - this is not unusual for white sharks - it is normal behavior. This dive took place about one week prior to the tag recording the higher temperatures (not immediately before as some have reported) and the two events are not related," CSIRO officials wrote in a blog post about the discovery.
The discovery has led to a flurry of controversy on electronic media. Some people are saying the find is proof that a type of giant shark called a Megalodon still inhabits the world's oceans. That species, which could grow as long as 80 feet, is believed to have died out millions of years ago. White sharks typically top out around 20 feet long.
The tag was programmed to release from the shark, and float to the surface for recovery and analysis. This particular tag came ashore two weeks early, which is common in the program. Slings are used to harmlessly tag members of this well-known fish species.
Far from being a megalodon or other giant species of shark, researchers at CSIRO believe the 9-foot shark was most likely attacked by another member of its own species. It is common for these marine hunters to bite pieces off one another, and it is possible the tag was chewed off in one of these incidents.
Although many people fear these creatures, they do play an important role as top predator in marine environments.
