Unexpected Discovery: Sleeper Shark Surfaces in Antarctic Waters

Researchers have discovered a sleeper shark in the frigid depths of the Antarctic Ocean, challenging the assumption that sharks do not inhabit these cold waters. Filmed by the Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, this discovery suggests that climate change may be impacting shark habitats.


Devdiscourse News Desk | Melbourne | Updated: 18-02-2026 10:36 IST | Created: 18-02-2026 10:36 IST
Unexpected Discovery: Sleeper Shark Surfaces in Antarctic Waters
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  • Australia

In an astonishing revelation from the depths of the Antarctic Ocean, researchers have captured footage of a sleeper shark, a species previously thought absent from these icy waters. The unexpected find has been hailed as significant by scientists, as it challenges prevailing assumptions about shark habitats.

The footage, taken off the South Shetland Islands, shows the massive predator, estimated to be up to 4 meters long, navigating nearly freezing waters. The encounter suggests that climate change and warming oceans might be influencing shark distributions, a hypothesis requiring further investigation.

This rare glimpse of a sleeper shark in Antarctica, captured by the Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, highlights the need for more dedicated research in these remote parts of the ocean, where sparse data has made tracking shifts in marine life difficult.

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