Albino Cyclops Shark

Computers can create some truly astounding digital effects these days. In fact, it’s almost common practice to digitally alter photos before printing, helping even the most amateur photographers look like a master when done right. Not surprisingly, many of us can’t help but be a little skeptical when we see something as ridiculous and humorously grotesque as the white albino Cyclops shark.

Looking like it popped out of a poorly funded science fiction film, this fetal shark is surprisingly real. Giant soulless eye, pasty white skin, and gaping toothless mouth, this poor animal is more easily related to Jim Hensen’s muppet creations rather than its dusky shark mother.

Researchers confirmed that the shark’s eye is made of functional optical tissue – so it’s definitely not a fake even though we squirm when we realize that we have the real deal on our hands. However, it is incredibly rare to find one in nature.

A Little More About the Shark

Although rare, Cyclopia is a real developmental anomaly. Even human fetuses are sometimes afflicted with this developmental disorder, but most fail to live longer than a few hours. According to shark expert Felipe Galvan Magana of Mexico’s Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias del Mar “This is extremely rare. As far as I know, less than 50 examples of an abnormality like this have been recorded.”

This creepy cute fetal shark was cut from the remains of a female dusky shark and has since attracted a huge internet following with these slightly disturbing and yet pleasantly engaging photos.

In nature, survival of the fittest plays a huge role in determining who survives and who thrives, and animals with such painful deformities have a very limited lifespan outside the womb. Such photos are an interesting reminder that the natural world is a very tough place to live.