San jos©: Researchers have confirmed the discovery of an extremely rare bright orange nurse shark with striking white eyes, off the coast of Costa Rica, a first-of-its-kind find in the Caribbean.

According to Philippines News Agency, the six-foot-long shark was caught during a sport fishing trip near Tortuguero National Park at a depth of 37 meters. It is believed to have a pigmentation condition called xanthism or xanthochroism, which results in an excessive yellow or golden coloration in animals due to the absence of red pigmentation.

Researchers from the Federal University of Rio Grande have noted this as the first recorded case of xanthism in cartilaginous fish-sharks, rays, and skates-in the region. The shark also exhibited traits of albinism, most notably a pair of white eyes. Typically, nurse sharks have brown skin that allows them to blend with the seabed, but this shark’s distinct coloring and pale eyes could make it more visible and potentially more vulnerable to predators.

The condition is usually attributed to a genetic mutation, although diet and other environmental factors could also play a role. Scientists emphasized the necessity of further research into the genetic makeup of local shark populations to understand the origins of this anomaly. Xanthism is considered exceptionally rare across species, having been documented in only a few fish, reptiles, birds, and other animals.