Blood in the Water: Galapagos Shark Beaches Itself to Eat Sea Lion

A heart-stopping video of a Galapagos shark attacking and killing a sea lion has recently taken the internet by storm. The intense footage, filmed in 2020, shows the large shark thrashing its prey with massive spurts of blood becoming visible in the water.

The sea lion did not stand a chance against this apex predator.

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The Galapagos shark is named after its place of discovery near the Galapagos Marine Reserve in Ecuador, however they can be found in warm waters around the world. This species is characterized by its 14 rows of serrated teeth and close resemblance to reef and dusky sharks. They primarily feed on bony fish, but in the Galapagos, they also target seals and sea lions.

In line with the shocking events seen in the clip above, the Galapagos Conservation Trust describes this species of shark as highly inquisitive — and aggressive. They are known to attack fishermen who try to scare them away and can go into a frenzy when excited, assailing anything floating on the surface of the water.

Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis) in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Image: NOAA (Public Domain)

The video of the Galapagos shark attack on a sea lion serves as a reminder of the power and aggression of these ocean predators. It also highlights the need for further research to better understand their behavior and habits.

Watch the full video below:

NOTE: This article was assisted by an AI engine and was reviewed, verified, and revised by our editorial staff.

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