Sleeper Shark

The Sleeper Shark, a species previously thought to be absent from Antarctic waters, is the subject of recent news due to the first-ever recorded footage of the animal in this region. In January 2025, researchers from the University of Western Australia captured video of a Sleeper Shark, estimated to be 10-13 feet long, swimming off the South Shetland Islands. This sighting is significant because many experts believed sharks could not survive in the frigid Antarctic environment. The footage provides valuable insight into the potential range and adaptability of this species, challenging existing assumptions about marine life distribution in extreme polar regions. The discovery highlights the need for further research to understand the role of Sleeper Sharks and other potentially undiscovered species in the Antarctic ecosystem.