Scientists Stunned by 'Golden Shark' Discovery Off Costa Rica: Rare Condition Revealed

• A unique 'golden shark' with deep orange color and white eyes was discovered off the coast of Costa Rica in August 2024 by fisherman Juan Pablo.
• Researchers from Brazil's Federal University of Rio Grande identified its rare coloration as 'albino-xanthochromism', a combination of albinism and xanthism.
• Albinism causes a lack of dark pigments, while xanthism results in an excess of yellow pigments, leading to the shark's striking orange hue and white eyes.
• This 6.5-foot nurse shark, nicknamed 'Tangerine Terror', is the first known case of both conditions simultaneously in its species, having survived to adulthood despite its unusual appearance.
• Scientists are investigating if this is a genetic mutation or linked to environmental factors in Costa Rica's Northern Caribbean region, highlighting ocean's unsolved mysteries.

Why It Matters: Rare 'golden shark' discovery reveals 'albino-xanthochromism', a unique survival story in marine science.