Creature ‘impersonating a shark’ off California coast is not what it seems
A creature spotted lurking in the waters off the California coast had wildlife officials doing a double take.
In a photo posted on Facebook, the animal can be seen with its head and backfin poking out of the water, “impersonating a shark in Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary,” according to the post by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.
“Duunnn dun… duunnn dun… wait a second, that’s no shark – it’s a mola mola,” the agency said in the May 16 Facebook post.
The massive fish is more commonly referred to as the ocean sunfish, according to NOAA.
“These odd creatures get their name from their habit of laying their bodies on the surface of the water to warm themselves by the sun,” NOAA said.
The species is the heaviest bony fish in the world with some reaching up to 5,000 pounds, according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
With a huge and flat body, truncated tail, tiny mouth and big eyes, “the ocean sunfish (Mola mola) looks like the invention of a mad scientist,” the aquarium said.
They can be found throughout the ocean in “tropical and temperate seas,” according to the Australian Museum.
“These ocean giants roam the seas in search of their favorite food, jellyfish,” according to NOAA.
The Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary spans 3,295 square miles from the northern and central California coast, protecting wildlife, habitats and cultural resources, according to NOAA.
This story was originally published May 19, 2023 at 12:35 PM with the headline "Creature ‘impersonating a shark’ off California coast is not what it seems."
