Massive Super-Predator Theorised In Australian Waters

[The Neo Nerd]

Massive Sea Creature Attacks, Kills and Eats A 3 Meter Long Great White Shark



Massive Sea Creature Attacks, Kills And Eats A 3 Meter Long Great White Shark | IFLScience

According to Australian scientists, a tagged 3-meter-long (9 foot) great white shark was killed and eaten by an even bigger predator, most likely a “colossal cannibal great white shark”

A healthy female great white shark, named “shark alpha” was tagged in Australian waters as part of a large-scale tagging project that set out to investigate the movement of these animals along Australia’s coast.

4 months after the shark was tagged the device washed up on the coast around 2.5 miles from where it was attached. When scientists retrieved the data from the tag, they were very surprised at what it revealed. The information showed that the device experienced a rapid plunge in depth, descending around 580 meters. However, there was also a concomitant temperature rise, increasing from around 46oF (8oC) to 78oF (25.5oC). The temperature then remained at 78oF for 8 days.

I am never going in the water again.

 

[Vinayaka]

That's a fascinating site. Who knew, eh? Other good stuff, for Revoltingest too... Chemistry | IFLScience

 

[Twilight Hue]

I keep thinking it's a massive Grouper fish.

 

[Vinayaka]

It probably hung around the Mekong delta too long and ate too much genetically modified rice floating down the river.

 

[Riverwolf]

What could eat a 3 meter shark? I'm calling it now: lagiacrus. Those guys get 16 meters. EDIT: D'ough! I was thinking of Rathians! Lagiacruses... Lagiacrusi... get to about 25 meters.


...seriously, could it be that the tag was just torn off the shark and eaten while the shark got away?

 

[Revoltingest]

That's a fascinating site. Who knew, eh? Other good stuff, for Revoltingest too... Chemistry | IFLScience

Frubalworthy!

 

[Vinayaka]

Frubalworthy!

Is that all it takes to get a frubal? One picture of bacon, a coupla positive comments, and all that from a link? Not even original. Too easy.

 

[dawny0826]

What could eat a 3 meter shark? I'm calling it now: lagiacrus. Those guys get 16 meters.


...seriously, could it be that the tag was just torn off the shark and eaten while the shark got away?

My first thought was: another great white. That was considered in the article, as well.

The article also stated that it's possible that a chunk of it was eaten vs. the entire shark.

 

[Revoltingest]

Is that all it takes to get a frubal? One picture of bacon, a coupla positive comments, and all that from a link? Not even original. Too easy.

You complain'n, bubba?

 

[CynthiaCypher]

Orca.

[youtube]K9I_DcSbZjI[/youtube]

 

[Vinayaka]

You complain'n, bubba?

I never complain. I just observe.

That shark should be complaining. Them and all the science teachers who can't use that site for when they don't have lesson plans.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Let's give it some time ...

 

[CynthiaCypher]

Ocras have been observed hunting and eating Great White Sharks. It was probably an Orca i.e Killer Whale.

 

[The Neo Nerd]

...seriously, could it be that the tag was just torn off the shark and eaten while the shark got away?

At the bottom of the article it does discuss that something took a nibble out of it and took the tag with it.

That's why i put "theorised" in the thread title.

 

[The Neo Nerd]

That's a fascinating site. Who knew, eh? Other good stuff, for Revoltingest too... Chemistry | IFLScience

I'm linked to them through their facebook page.

It's good to see some sciency stuff in amongst all the pictures of my friends kids and the pictures of food.

 

[Riverwolf]

At the bottom of the article it does discuss that something took a nibble out of it and took the tag with it.

That's why i put "theorised" in the thread title.

Okie-dokie. I didn't read the whole article; I just watched the video. ^_^

A giant shark-eating monster is just so much more exciting. :yes: Too bad it's unlikely. (Orcas and squid don't count as monsters; they're too mundane and well-understood.)

 

[DreadFish]

Australia: where everything will kill and/or eat you. *ADDENDUM* Even if you're a bad *** apex predator.

 

[Runewolf1973]

Seems like it's probably another bigger Great White shark. Orcas don't dive as deep as sharks do and considering the depth, it was probably not an Orca.

 

[The Neo Nerd]

A giant shark-eating monster is just so much more exciting. :yes: Too bad it's unlikely. (Orcas and squid don't count as monsters; they're too mundane and well-understood.)

I know orcas or squids just arent as sexy as "Super Predator"

 

[The Neo Nerd]

Seems like it's probably another bigger Great White shark. Orcas don't dive as deep as sharks do and considering the depth, it was probably not an Orca.

According to the seaworld website killer wales can dive at most to about 350m falling short of the 580m measured by the tag.

KILLER WHALES - Adaptations for an Aquatic Environment

Giant squids are able to dive down to atleast a kilometre so that is a possibility. There known habitat does include the southwestern parts of Australia.

Giant squid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia