During their observations, researchers discovered a giant glowing shark considered the first of its kind from the species of bioluminescent animals living in the deep sea.
The rare and unusual (Kitefin) shark was spotted off the eastern coast of New Zealand during a survey conducted last year, along with two black lantern sharks and a southern lantern shark. The discovered Kitefin shark can reach a length of about six feet (1.8 meters) and typically lives at a depth of approximately 984 feet (299 meters) below the sea surface, making it one of the largest known bioluminescent vertebrates in the world to date, according to the British newspaper "Daily Mail." Studies have indicated that these giant fish use light as a method of camouflage due to the scarcity of hiding places in these deep waters and to avoid being preyed upon by other sharks.
These unique marine creatures inhabit an area of the ocean referred to as the "twilight zone," which extends to a depth of 3,200 feet (975 meters) below sea level and far from the light.
