Scientists stumble across bizarre glowing viper sharks
Scientists have stumbled across an elusive breed of shark during a fishing survey off the coast of Taiwan.
Five viper sharks were pulled from the Taitung Sea in December by scientists from the Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese news site UDN reported.
The bizarre-looking species, whose name derives from its needle-like teeth resembling viper fangs, are unique to waters surrounding Japan, Hawaii and Taiwan, and was only first discovered in 1987.
Of the five caught, only one survived.
Scientists tried keeping it alive by immersing it in sea water at 10C, but the shark died the following day.
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The black-coloured sharks ranged in size from 26.2 to 32.6 cm and featured light-emitting markings on their stomachs.
Scientists are yet to work out if their glowing stomachs are used for communication or attacking prey.
