Observation of an Attack by a Cookiecutter Shark

Observation of an Attack by a Cookiecutter Shark (Isistius brasiliensis) on a White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias)

Mauricio Hoyos-Padilla, Yannis P. Papastamatiou, John O’Sullivan and Christopher G. Low

Pacific Science, 2013, 67(1): 129-134.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2984/67.1.10

Abstract

Cookiecutter sharks (Isistius brasiliensis) are known to attack a wide array of large animals including pelagic fishes, cetaceans, and pinnipeds. Here we add another top predator, the white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), to the list of potential victims. A subadult male white shark off Guadelupe Island, Mexico, was observed with a fresh cookiecutter shark bite next to its mouth, as well as a second crescent-shaped scar. A subadult male white shark was tracked in the same location and showed diel changes in depth, with the shark occupying shallow water.