Tiger Shark’s Unusual Meal: Echidna Regurgitated During Marine Research Expedition

During a recent ocean research expedition conducted by a team from James Cook University in Australia, a surprising discovery unfolded when a three-meter tiger shark regurgitated an unexpected item in front of the scientists.

The marine scientists were engaged in tagging activities off the northeast coast when the tiger shark they captured expelled a dead echidna – a prickly creature akin to a hedgehog. Nicolas Lubitz, a member of the research team, speculated that the shark may have ingested the echidna while moving along the shallows near the island or during inter-island travels, which these creatures are known to undertake.

The unexpected incident left the researchers astonished at the sight. Lubitz described the moment when the shark spat out the echidna in May 2022, expressing his initial disbelief and curiosity at the unusual event.

Upon regurgitation, the intact echidna indicated that the shark had recently consumed it. Echidnas, unique to Australia and New Guinea, are egg-laying mammals with distinct spines covering their bodies, feeding primarily on ants using a beak-shaped snout.

Despite the bizarre encounter, the echidna was unharmed after its unexpected journey and was fitted with an acoustic tracker by the scientists before being released back into the ocean.

The tiger shark’s eclectic diet was highlighted by Lubitz, who mentioned the shark’s scavenging nature and its ability to consume various items, noting that he had even seen videos of tiger sharks eating random objects like rocks.

The marine research initiative, spanning from 2020 to 2023, involved the tagging of 812 fish, rays, and sharks with long-term trackers to gain insights into their movements and behaviors.