Nature hides many mysteries, but recently in Costa Rica, in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, a nurse shark has made an appearance. This event has attracted attention because it is so extraordinary, and in this regard, xanthism and partial albinism have been the focus of attention in this case, with the spotlight now on animal genetics and coloration in fish. Marine Biodiversity has also reported the news following its publication and highlights the grandeur of the marine biodiversity of the Atlantic Ocean. Read on to find out more.
This creature is real and its been located
At the time you were a child, you might have pictured in your mind an orange shark, a creature that seemed not ral, existing only in your imagination. Nowadays, one of those sketches has come to real life. In August 2024, off the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, sport fishermen found a nurse shark close to 2 meters long, with an intense orange hue and entirely white eyes, suggesting possible genetic traits, almost as if it had jumped from a drawing.
Its striking color is possibly because of xanthism, a pigmentation alteration that can produce an excess of yellow or orange tones in the skin and scales, turning the shark’s normally gray into a vivid orange. It also displayed possible partial albinism, leaving certain zones, such as the eyes, without pigment at the same time preserving color elsewhere, creating a bold and close to a magical contrast.
Orange shark shocks fisherman
Garvin Watson, who runs a hotel in Costa Rica, said he was stunned when he saw the strange-looking creature beside his boat.
“We couldn’y believe what we had in front of us, an orange shark that looked like an alien”, he said.
After a brief capture, the shark was released after that. The achievement was scientifically documented and shared in 2025 through scientific media and the journal “Marine Biodiversity,” proving that the ocean still hides wonders beyond what we are conscious of.
More information about the shark
The shark measured 6 feet, 6 inches long, making it nearly as long as a small car. Photos and videos of the catch show the shark’s unusual organ glow shimmering against the water.
“We were very surprised and excited when we saw the [xanthism] in the photos,” study lead author Marioxis Macías-Cuyare, a doctoral candidate in biological oceanography at the Federal University of Rio Grande in Brazil, told Live Science in an email.
Macías-Cuyare said that xanthism is usually genetic, but more research was needed to understand the conditions influencing the shark’s anomalous pigmentation.
The shark’s survival is also curious. Animals evolve to be specific colors to better survive in their environments, so being bright orange when the species isn’t meant to be would normally be a hindrance. In this case, the shark has made it to adulthood and doesn’t appear to have been held back by its unusual color.
“Many factors influence this, such as the environment, but everything remains speculative until the variables that could influence this genetic condition are tested,” Macías-Cuyare said.
Mysteries that must be discovered yet
The sea is huge and full of surprises. Every achivement such as this one reminds us there are still species lying in wait to be discovered. What other incredible animals might be where our eyes cannot reach? Could there be creatures even stranger than we can have in mind?
This orange shark suggest that nature can goes beyond expectations, inviting us to still exploring and giving thanks for the hidden marvels of the ocean. What once seemed impossible at the past, currently swims before us, a bright reminder of how alive and full of surprises the marine world truly is.