G-g-g-ghost shark?
September 24, 2009 7:28 PM Subscribe
A newly identified species of Chimaera is patrolling the waters off of California and Baja California.
California has a new star, the Eastern Pacific black ghostshark. But the newly identified species prefers to stay out of the sun—and the spotlight. And with a club-like sex organ on its forehead, the male ghostshark isn't likely to get any leading man roles.The Florida Museum of Natural History has better photos of its Australian relative.
Gh-gh-gh-ghost shark! Zoinks!
posted by 2bucksplus at 7:51 PM on September 24, 2009 [5 favorites]
posted by 2bucksplus at 7:51 PM on September 24, 2009 [5 favorites]
In related news, Barry White evidently helps get male zebra sharks in the mood...though "some guests have been a little alarmed."
posted by darkstar at 8:00 PM on September 24, 2009
posted by darkstar at 8:00 PM on September 24, 2009
You know, I have one simple request. And that is to have sharks with frickin' laser beams penises attached to their heads.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 8:02 PM on September 24, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 8:02 PM on September 24, 2009 [1 favorite]
Interesting post.
Thanks for reason #2,612 to stay out of the ocean. Here is my personal #1 scariest looking thing in the ocean.
posted by marxchivist at 8:10 PM on September 24, 2009 [1 favorite]
Thanks for reason #2,612 to stay out of the ocean. Here is my personal #1 scariest looking thing in the ocean.
posted by marxchivist at 8:10 PM on September 24, 2009 [1 favorite]
The newfound ghostshark belongs to the "big black chimaeras,"...
I tried to find out more but my Google search "big black weird sex organ" was not enlightening!
posted by battlebison at 8:22 PM on September 24, 2009 [1 favorite]
I tried to find out more but my Google search "big black weird sex organ" was not enlightening!
posted by battlebison at 8:22 PM on September 24, 2009 [1 favorite]
Once long ago I had to write a functional morphology paper on the extinct Stethacanthus shark. Some people think the head dentition may have played a role in mating.
posted by rosswald at 8:23 PM on September 24, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by rosswald at 8:23 PM on September 24, 2009 [2 favorites]
From Cracked: 13 Real-Life Animals Lifted Directly From Your Nightmares.
posted by hifiparasol at 10:39 PM on September 24, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by hifiparasol at 10:39 PM on September 24, 2009 [1 favorite]
This reminds me of some old horror comic.
"In this issue, the penis-headed ghostshark that stalks the Californian waters! Only 25 cents!"
posted by fearthehat at 11:09 PM on September 24, 2009
"In this issue, the penis-headed ghostshark that stalks the Californian waters! Only 25 cents!"
posted by fearthehat at 11:09 PM on September 24, 2009
"These organs.... may be used to stimulate a female or to pull her closer."
Most male humans also dedicate a substantial part of their heads to those purposes...
posted by Skeptic at 2:27 AM on September 25, 2009 [1 favorite]
Most male humans also dedicate a substantial part of their heads to those purposes...
posted by Skeptic at 2:27 AM on September 25, 2009 [1 favorite]
"Most male humans also dedicate a substantial part of their heads to those purposes..."
Yet this substantial part is neither "retractable" nor does it "resemble a spiked club at the end of a stalk." I think we are poorer as a species because of this.
posted by moonbiter at 3:16 AM on September 25, 2009
Yet this substantial part is neither "retractable" nor does it "resemble a spiked club at the end of a stalk." I think we are poorer as a species because of this.
posted by moonbiter at 3:16 AM on September 25, 2009
We saw a Chimaera in Honduras. They are really graceful when they are swimming. I wouldn't worry too much about running into one while snorkeling, though.
posted by snofoam at 6:47 AM on September 25, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by snofoam at 6:47 AM on September 25, 2009 [1 favorite]
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So I suppose that makes hands sex organs also. Anything to get a headline, eh?
posted by binturong at 7:48 PM on September 24, 2009