Black Lantern Shark (Etmopterus spinax) is one of the most amazing deep sea sharks, which has a unique ability glow in the dark. This small but effective predator lives in the dark depths of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, where it uses its bioluminescence for camouflage, communication, and hunting.
🔍 Main Features:
✔ Small size - up to 60 cm
✔ Dark, almost black color
✔ Glow of the abdomen and sides for concealment
✔ Deep sea lifestyle (200-1500 m)
✔ It hunts fish, crustaceans and cephalopods
✔ Viviparous-gives birth to several formed cubs
The black lantern shark is an important component of the marine ecosystem and an object of research by scientists seeking to unravel its bioluminescent mechanisms.
Scientific classification
🔬 Classification:
✔ The Kingdom: Animals (Animalia)
✔ Type: Chordal (Chordata)
✔ Class: Cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes)
✔ Row: Katran-like (Squaliformes)
✔ Family: Etmopteru (Etmopteridae)
✔ Gender: Lantern sharks (Etmopterus)
✔ View: Black Lantern Shark (Etmopterus spinax)
📌 Interesting!
This species was first described in 1758 by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus.
Appearance and bioluminescence
📏 Sizes:
• Length: 30-60 cm (females are usually larger than males)
• Weight: 1-1. 5 kg
🎨 Color scheme:
• Dark brown or black
• The abdomen and flanks contain light organs-photophores
🦈 Main Features:
• Compact, elongated body
• Large eyes adapted to the dark
• Sharp teeth to hold slippery prey
💡 How does bioluminescence work?
The shark produces light thanks to special bodies-photophoreslocated on the belly and sides. They emit cold bioluminescent lightused for:
✔ Camouflage from predators (simulate a light background to blend in with your surroundings)
✔ Mining attraction
✔ Socializing with other sharks
📌 Interesting!
The glow is regulated by hormones – melatonin activates bioluminescence, while epinephrine suppresses it.
Living environment
🌍 Where does the Black Lantern Shark live?
• Atlantic Ocean (from Norway to South Africa)
• The Mediterranean Sea
• Continental shelves and slopes at depths of 200-1500 m
🏝 Living conditions:
• Water temperature-4-10°C
• Complete lack of sunlight
📌 Interesting!
The black lantern shark is one of the most popular sharks in the world. common deep-sea sharks of europe.
Lifestyle and behavior
⚡ How does the Black Lantern Shark behave?
• It hunts at night and at dawn
• Passive hunter-waits for prey in the dark
• Often moves in small groups
📌 Interesting!
These sharks can commit vertical migrations, rising closer to the surface at night and sinking to a depth of during the day.
Food
🍽 What does the Black Lantern Shark eat?
• Small fish (miktofovy, cod, herring)
• Cephalopods (squid, octopus)
• Crustaceans (krill, shrimp)
📌 Interesting!
Black lantern sharks can attack fish, significantly larger than its own sizeby biting its tail to weaken the victim.
Reproduction
👶 How does the Black Lantern Shark breed?
• Viviparous-gives birth to 6-20 cubs
• Pregnancy lasts 12-18 months
• Cubs are fully formed at birth
📌 Interesting!
The cubs begin to glow a few months after birth.
Human interaction
⚠ Is the Black Lantern Shark dangerous?
• Absolutely safe for humans
• Because of its small size, it does not pose a threat
• In contrast, humans pose a threat to sharks because of fishing
🎣 Shark fishing:
• Sometimes it gets caught in the network along with other species
• Used for making fish oil
📌 Interesting!
Lantern Sharks they play an important role in the marine ecosystem, as they regulate the population of small fish.
Interesting facts
📌 Top 5 Interesting Facts about the Black Lantern Shark:
1️⃣ Glows in the dark thanks to photophores
2️⃣ Can control the glow intensity
3️⃣ It lives in the depths where there is no sunlight at all
4️⃣ Viviparous-gives birth to fully formed cubs
5️⃣ It is not a threat to humans, but it is an important predator of the deep sea
Conclusion
Black Lantern Shark (Etmopterus spinax) – a unique inhabitant of the ocean depths, which uses glow to survive in extreme environments. Her bioluminescence, lifestyle and role in nature they make it one of the most interesting representatives of the underwater world.
🌊 Studying these sharks will help us better understand marine bioluminescence and life in the dark depths of the ocean!
