During a recent trip to tag sharks near Orpheus Island in Queensland, researchers from James Cook University (JCU) had a surprising encounter with a tiger shark. The shark regurgitated a fully intact echidna, a famously land-dwelling animal, much to the amazement of the team. This rare event, which occurred in May 2022, marks the first recorded instance of a tiger shark consuming one of these spiky creatures.
Nicolas Lubitz, a shark researcher, described the moment when the shark spit out the echidna as a surprising and baffling experience. He managed to capture a single image of the echidna floating in the water after being ejected by the shark. The researchers believe that the echidna may have been captured while swimming in the shallows or between islands, as they are known to inhabit parts of Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Tiger sharks are known for their indiscriminate eating habits and have been documented consuming a wide range of objects, including seabirds, tyres, licence plates, and even a small TV. While it is uncommon for them to regurgitate food, Dr. Lubitz suspects that the 3m-long shark may have underestimated its catch in this instance. Despite the unusual encounter, the shark was unharmed and was later fitted with a tracker before being released back into the water.
The JCU team is part of a larger effort spanning three years to tag various marine species, including snapper, mullet, rays, and different types of sharks, using acoustic and satellite trackers. This initiative aims to collect data on the marine life inhabiting the area and provide valuable insights into their behaviors and movements.