This glow-in-the-dark shark has the coolest name
Its scientific name is Etmopterus benchleyi, after the shark conservationist and Jaws author Peter Benchley. But its common, and infinitely cooler, name is Ninja Lanternshark. If that sounds like it sprung from the imagination of an 8-year-old, that's because it did.
Young cousins of one of the researchers that recently discovered the tiny shark suggested the name (honed down from Super Ninja Shark) because of its jet-black appearance and "because it's good at being stealthy."
Found off the coast of Central America, the Ninja Lanternshark lurks in the darkest parts of the ocean, at depths of up to 4,734 feet. It has glass-like teeth, emerald eyes, and is so small, it could fit in the palm of your hand. Its stealthy reputation comes from the way it glows in the dark. All lanternsharks glow as a form of camouflage, called counter elimination, that helps diminish its shadow so it's harder to see from above. But researchers found fewer photophores, or dots that emit light, on the ninja, suggesting its glow is more subtle.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Still, since researchers have only eight specimens, little is know about the Ninja Lanternshark — which is exactly, we imagine, how this covert agent would like it.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Lauren Hansen produces The Week’s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.
-
'New arrivals are more than paying for themselves'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
6 stylish homes in Portland, Oregon
Feature Featuring a wall of windows in Collins View and a historic ballroom in Portland Heights
By The Week US Published
-
What's next for US interest rates?
The Explainer Stubborn inflation forestalls anticipated rate cuts
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published