A tuna caught off the coast of Australia on October 29 was found covered in strange circular wounds. Jason Moyce, a professional fisherman and tour guide, believes that cigar sharks are the “culprits” behind these bite marks.
The Cigar Shark is a small species of shark known for its precise bites that leave distinctive marks on larger prey. These sharks typically measure between 43 to 56 cm in length and are usually found in deep waters, coming close to the surface at night to hunt.
The bite marks are strange circular holes on the body of the tuna.
They migrate vertically in the water column each day, swimming about 3 km upwards to feed before diving down again. Notably, these sharks have been observed to possess bioluminescent abilities, glowing in the dark.
Mark Grace, a fisheries scientist, stated that “Unlike wounds caused by squid or sea lice, the bite marks from cigar sharks have a very smooth surface, are circular or oval-shaped, and feature a relatively deep and smooth indentation.“
“Culprit” behind the strange bite marks on the body of the tuna.
Cigar sharks feed by suctioning their mouths onto their prey, then rotating and using their sharp teeth to “slice” pieces of flesh away. The wounds they inflict are typically about 5 cm wide and 7 cm long.
The tuna in question had multiple wounds along its body, likely indicating that it was bitten by several cigar sharks simultaneously, prompting it to flee, which is a natural reaction for many species. These injuries are undoubtedly painful.
Not only do cigar sharks attack tuna, but they also prey on other species including dolphins, sperm whales, fur seals, sea otters, great white sharks, and even stingrays, leaving similar wounds. This species of shark is also known for its reproductive capabilities; besides “slicing” off pieces of meat like in the case of the “lucky” tuna, they can consume entire prey, including smaller fish and squid.
There have been instances where researchers found prey remains in the stomachs of cigar sharks, indicating they are omnivorous. There have also been reports of shark attacks on humans associated with this species. In 2019, a 58-year-old swimmer was bitten by a cigar shark while swimming at night. Fortunately, the man survived the attack despite being bitten in the abdomen.
