Cookiecutter Shark
The cookiecutter shark, Isistius brasiliensis, is an opportunistic predator. It attacks large oceanic animals, such as squids, large fish and marine mammals (cetaceans, pinnipeds and sirenians). This shark uses suctorial lips to attach itself to the body of the prey. Then, the shark spins and the razor sharp teeth cut a large circular junk of skin, body fat tissue and flesh from the prey’s body. The attacked whales get away with an ugly wound. Eventually the wound heals but leaves a visible scar (4 – 7 cm), which helps scientists to identify individual whales. Ouchh! This impressive You Tube video shows a bottlenose dolphin with a cookiecutter bite. Researchers of the Dolphin Communication Project in the Caribbean have filmed the attacked dolphin.
Actually, this shark is quite small. The adult has a body length of about 50 cm (20 inches). Whales and other victims can easily out swim this parasite. Yet, to succeed in feeding the shark uses a strategy with is known as “sit and wait” and also camouflage through counter shading.
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