A deep-rooted fear of the ocean's dark depths, fuelled by classic horror films, has found a chilling new chapter. A video capturing a colossal, ancient-looking shark gliding past a research submarine has resurfaced online, sending shivers down the spines of viewers and reviving primal fears of what lurks in the unexplored abyss.
The Viral Deep-Sea Encounter
The footage, shared by the non-profit organisation OceanX, begins with an unsettling scene on the sea floor. A large cloud of sediment erupts as a massive creature struggles to rise. As the dust settles, the terrifying form of an enormous shark comes into view. Its jaw is visibly agape as it passes the window of the submarine, offering a heart-stopping view of its sheer size.
The researchers inside the vessel can be heard reacting with a mix of awe and dark humour. Remarkably calm, one comments, "this is a monster," while another jokes that the shark is "bigger than this sub is long" and might "eat the gun." The creature's silent, powerful glide past the camera leaves an indelible impression of a true deep-sea leviathan.
Unmasking the 'Prehistoric' Predator
Contrary to fears of an unknown monster, the shark has been identified. The video was captured during a mission by the Cape Eleuthera Institute in February 2025. Their goal was to tag a bluntnose sixgill shark, and they succeeded.
This species is no ordinary shark. Scientists describe it as an ancient species that predates most dinosaurs. It is a dominant predator in the deep-sea ecosystem. The shark gets its name from its blunt nose and the presence of six gill slits, unlike most sharks which have five. It possesses a fearsome set of teeth: six saw-like teeth on each side of the lower jaw and nine smaller ones on each upper side.
These creatures can grow to staggering proportions, reaching lengths of up to 20 feet (about 6 meters) and weighing around 500 kg. Some exceptional specimens can even tip the scales at a monstrous 1,000 kg.
Social Media Erupts in Terror and Wonder
The video has triggered a wave of reactions on social media, with users expressing sheer terror and philosophical wonder. Many confessed the footage tapped into a deep-seated fear of the ocean. "If not the size, this shark's eye alone would have given me a straight heart attack," wrote one horrified viewer.
Others were captivated by the shark's apparent intelligence. "She looked straight at you guys and made direct eye contact—a chilling sense of a wicked, otherly intelligence," noted an observer. The encounter sparked broader thoughts about Earth's mysteries, with a user pondering, "It’s simply insane to think such creatures exist in such completely isolated parts of our planet. Really makes you wonder what other things are out there." Another user quipped, "I imagine this is how entertained aliens sound when they're observing us from their ship."
This incident follows the online fascination in February 2025 with a 'black sea monster' that was later identified as a deep-sea humpback anglerfish. It serves as a stark reminder that for all our exploration, the deep ocean remains a realm of awe-inspiring and often terrifying discoveries, proving that sometimes, reality can be more startling than the scariest movie.
