We all have grown up watching some pretty scary movies about sharks but, what we don’t realize is that the shark species is not all about big-toothed giants that are out to eat you but, they can be adorable and, at times, weird sharks as well.
That is the very reason why we are getting into some pretty weird-looking sharks in the world that will give you chills and make you say “awwww” at the same time. So, are you ready for these weird looking sharks?
Top 11 Weirdest Sharks In The World
We are diving into the 15 weirdest sharks so, fasten your seat belts because it is going to be a very bumpy ride.
1. Basking Shark
Baskin sharks are considered weird because of their massive mouth, which can open for up to 1 meter, and you can literally see the inside of their mouth, including the gills.
And the weirdest thing about basking sharks is that they swim with their mouth open, and in this way, they can catch their prey and fill up their stomach.
2. Greenland Shark
The thing that makes Greenland Sharks the weirdest of all is their habitat. They are found in Iceland, and their meat is extremely poisonous.
But that is not it; these sharks are one of the oldest vertebrates because they can live anywhere between 272 and 512 years.
Also, their age of maturity of 100 years which is kinda cruel because they literally have to stay single for 100 years straight.
3. Cookiecutter Shark
The whole being of cookiecutter sharks is weird but let us take a moment and appreciate how cute they are.
Despite their overall adorable outlook, they have the sharpest teeth that leave a cookie-cutter type mark, hence the name.
But, if you don’t mess with them, they don’t tend to be very aggressive. An even weirder thing is that when these sharks shed their teeth and swallow them to make their skeleton stronger.
4. Viper Dogfish
Viper Dogfish have a weird ability to flow in the dark, and they belong to the lantern shark family. These sharks are found in the deep ocean so, how can they find prey in the darkest of places?
Well, that is where their glow-in-the-dark body swoops in. Another weird thing about these sharks is their teeth which look a lot like needles and are sharper than you can imagine.
5. Large Tooth Sawfish
We don’t even have to tell you how weird this shark is because you can see it for yourself.
This saw shark is considered the largest shark, but the actual length comes from the long beak-like rostrum that has teeth all around it.
You would certainly want to steer clear of this shark because even though it does not tend to harm people without any reason, you would not want to mess with its sharp teeth.
This fish uses its saw-like rostrum for both hunting and protection.
6. Horn Shark
The weirdest thing about Horn sharks is that they don’t exactly look like sharks but more like some colorful and adorable fishes.
A unique trait of the Horn shark’s personality is that they are not really good swimmers, and they even prefer to crawl at times on the ocean floor, and yes, it is a shark we are talking about here.
This shark usually hides under rocks and does not go too deep in the ocean. So, let this shark be by itself, and you will be fine because you don’t want to mess with weird sharks.
7. Ornate Wobbegong Shark
We would totally freak out if we ever came across this shark, but, as it turns out, this shark is totally harmless as long as you don’t provoke it.
These weird-looking sharks are particularly intimidating because of how they look and the camouflage type of body they have.
You would not even be able to recognize it if it was swimming between the corals. They also tend to keep larger prey between their jaws for a very long time until they finally die.
8. Whale Shark
Whale sharks are not only weird but also really beautiful, and just looking at them feels so therapeutic.
An unusual thing about them is that despite being so gigantic, they only eat small fishes so, you don’t have to get afraid of these adorable sharks as long as you are not messing with them.
This shark is on our list because despite being a shark, it looks exactly like a large whale, and even the color of its body is nothing like a shark.
Don’t even get us started on the patterned back of whale sharks that is a lot similar to human fingerprints.
9. Frilled Shark
The frilled sharks are famous for their weird-looking gills, and they look very intimidating at first sight.
If you look at its teeth, you will feel like you are looking at twisted metal wires, and that is because its teeth are pointed backward, and they have a very frilled structure at their gills.
The way their teeth look and behave and the way their body is exactly what makes a frilled shark one of the most unusual and weirdest-looking sharks in the world.
10. Ghost Shark
Ghost sharks are really interesting creatures of nature, and they are equally weird as well, mainly because of their spooky color that makes you think like you are seeing a ghost in the middle of the ocean.
The Ghost shark’s head is very sharp, and its eyes are really big, making this shark look even more spooky.
But, this species of shark are going extinct day by day, and scientists are really concerned about it.
So, the least you could do for these sharks is leave them alone and don’t bother them, and it would not be that hard, we are guessing.
11. Hammerhead Shark
Have you ever looked at a weirder head than a hammerhead shark? Probably not. Their head is long like a stick, and they have one eye on one side and the other eye on another side.
The head of this shark surely makes it one of the most unusual sharks.
This shark is famous for staying in herds and groups but it likes to hunt alone because it does not like sharing food, just like Joey from F.R.I.E.N.D.S.
Also Check: 11 Weirdest Animals That Exist On This Planet With Us
Absolutely! Here’s a list of weird and funny facts about sharks that will add some bonus entertainment to your article. These are sure to surprise and delight your readers:
Weird and Funny Shark Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
- Sharks Are Older Than Trees
Sharks have been around for over 400 million years, which means they were swimming in the oceans before trees even existed on Earth. Talk about ancient swag!
- Some Sharks Glow in the Dark
The swell shark and the chain catshark have biofluorescent skin, which means they absorb light and re-emit it as a glowing green color. Underwater rave, anyone?
- Sharks Don’t Have Bones
Sharks are cartilaginous fish, meaning their skeletons are made of cartilage (the same stuff in your nose and ears). This makes them lighter and more flexible—perfect for underwater acrobatics.
- Sharks Can’t Fart
While some fish release gas, sharks don’t have the ability to fart. However, they do sometimes release air by gulping it at the surface and letting it out near their tails. Classy.
- A Shark’s Skin Is Like Sandpaper
Shark skin is covered in tiny tooth-like structures called dermal denticles. It’s so rough that it was once used as sandpaper! Imagine getting a back scratch from a shark.
- Sharks Have a Sixth Sense
Sharks have electroreceptors called the ampullae of Lorenzini, which let them detect the electrical fields produced by other animals. Basically, they’re the superheroes of the sea.
- Some Sharks Walk on Land
The epaulette shark can “walk” on its fins across coral reefs and even on land for short distances. Move over, Michael Jackson—this shark’s got the moves.
- Sharks Can Go Into a Trance
When you flip a shark upside down, it goes into a state called tonic immobility, essentially putting it into a trance. Scientists use this trick to study them without the drama.
- Sharks Have Been to Space
In 1994, NASA sent two small sharks (spiny dogfish) into space to study how microgravity affects animals. Sadly, they didn’t get to wear tiny astronaut helmets.
- Sharks Have a Favorite Color
Studies suggest sharks are more attracted to the color yellow than any other. That’s why life vests and rescue equipment are often yellow—wait, what?
- Sharks Can’t Chew
Sharks don’t have the ability to chew their food. Instead, they rip off chunks and swallow them whole. Messy eaters, but hey, they’re efficient!
- The Smallest Shark Fits in Your Hand
The dwarf lanternshark is the smallest shark species, growing to only about 8 inches long. It’s basically the chihuahua of the shark world.
- Sharks Have a Long Pregnancy
The frilled shark has one of the longest gestation periods in the animal kingdom—up to 3.5 years! That’s one patient mama shark.
- Sharks Are Picky Eaters
Contrary to popular belief, most sharks are picky eaters and will spit out things they don’t like. So, if a shark bites you, it might just be checking if you’re on the menu.
- Sharks Have Personalities
Research shows that sharks have individual personalities—some are bold and adventurous, while others are shy and cautious. Who knew sharks could be introverts?
- Sharks Don’t Sleep Like We Do
Sharks don’t have eyelids, so they can’t close their eyes to sleep. Instead, they rest parts of their brain while staying semi-active. Power naps, shark-style!
- Sharks Are Immune to Cancer
Sharks have an incredibly low cancer rate, which has led scientists to study their cartilage for potential medical breakthroughs. Maybe sharks are the real doctors of the sea.
- Sharks Have a Favorite Snack
Some sharks love eating sea turtles so much that they’ve evolved special teeth to crack through their shells. It’s like nature’s version of a nutcracker.
- Sharks Can’t Swim Backward
Unlike most fish, sharks can’t swim backward because of their rigid fins. If they need to reverse, they have to awkwardly turn around. Parking must be a nightmare.
- Sharks Have a Built-In GPS
Sharks can navigate thousands of miles across the ocean and return to the exact same spot every year. Scientists think they use Earth’s magnetic field as a natural GPS.
These weird and funny facts should give your readers plenty to laugh and marvel at! Let me know if you’d like to tweak or add anything. 🦈✨
Summing Up
So, we hope that you enjoyed reading about these weirdest-looking sharks, and now you know that you should not be messing with them.
Despite the fact that all these sharks are really adorable and most of them are not even that dangerous, we must respect them and let them feel safe; otherwise, they can be dangerous.
Many sharks are also endangered on the IUCN list, so; we just hope we can see more of these weird creatures.
Maryam is a passionate animal enthusiast with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences. From fluffy cats to exotic reptiles, she adores all creatures great and small. Whether she’s volunteering at animal shelters, researching animal behavior, or simply cuddling her pets, Maryam’s love for animals shines through in everything she does. Her dream is to make the world a better place for animals, one paw (or claw) at a time! 🐾
