Scientists Drop Cow 1629 Meters Deep Into Sea For Study—8 Unexpected ‘Smiling’ Visitors Arrive To Feast

An experiment that hoped to simulate what happens when a whale carcass falls to the ocean floor by a team of marine researchers from China was hijacked when a group of non-native animals appeared and ate the bait before it could be studied.

Conducted by Sun Yat-sen University and the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory in China, the test was to observe how scavengers in one of Earth’s least accessible environments would react to a sudden influx of biomass.

Video footage captured by deep-sea monitoring equipment revealed a procession of eight large, slow-moving creatures gliding silently through the gloom to investigate the cow carcass. For a moment, even the researchers were stunned. 

These were not animals known to frequent that part of the world.

Footage of a mysterious “smiling animal” goes viral as it ate a cow meant for an undersea experiment

Underwater deep sea bubbles rising with scientists studying cow dropped 1629 meters in ocean for research.

Image credits: Sarah Lee/Unsplash (Not the actual photo)

While the experiment ultimately failed to achieve its intended purpose, it nevertheless produced interesting findings.

The footage marked the first confirmed sighting of Pacific sleeper sharks (Somniosus pacificus) in the South China Sea, who have been known to prefer colder northern waters.

Scientists on research vessel preparing equipment to drop cow carcass 1629 meters deep into sea for marine study.

Image credits: NOAA/Unsplash (Not the actual photo)

Their appearance both marveled and worried researchers, who are now asking questions about animal distribution and the domino effect of shifting oceanic conditions.

“Although Pacific sleeper sharks have also been found in the deep waters of their typical distribution range in the North Pacific,” said lead researcher Han Tian. 

“Their frequent occurrence in the southwestern region of the South China Sea suggests that our understanding of this population remains significantly limited.”

Black and white cow standing in green field with trees in background, related to scientists dropping cow 1629 meters deep into sea for study

Image credits: Screenroad/Unsplash (Not the actual photo)

But online, viewers fixated less on the ecological implications and more on the creepy appearance of the sharks themselves, with one flashing a mischievous smirk in anticipation of the banquet it was about to have. 

“Is the shark smiling?” asked one commenter, while others joked about the implications of a shark getting to eat that type of meat. “Beef’s back on the menu, boys.”

Scientists are now wondering why these northern creatures are appearing in the South China Sea

Deep-sea footage of cow carcass dropped 1629 meters underwater with marine creatures arriving to feed around it.

Image credits: Han Tian, Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Research/IFLS

Despite their reputation as solitary deep-sea dwellers, the eight sleeper sharks didn’t simply descend on the carcass in a feeding frenzy.

“They’re gonna be chasing that beef taste for the rest of their lives,” one viewer joked.

Comment saying that a shark looks happy and smiled for the camera in reaction to scientists dropping a cow 1629 meters deep into the sea.

Comment by Aaron Bovard questioning shark dental health comparing to himself with laughing and shocked reactions.

What scientists observed instead was an unexpectedly civil display. Footage showed the animals approaching in sequence, with some sharks yielding their spot to others that arrived later.

According to the scientists, this is an apparent queuing system that hints at a form of silent negotiation between them.

Deep-sea creatures feeding on a cow carcass dropped 1629 meters underwater during a scientific study.

Image credits: Han Tian, Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Research/IFLS

“This behavior suggests that feeding priority is determined by individual competitive intensity, even in deep-water environments,” Tian said. “It reflects a survival strategy suitable for non-solitary foraging among Pacific sleeper sharks.”

Cow dropped 1629 meters deep into sea with marine creatures feeding around the carcass on the ocean floor.

Image credits: Han Tian, Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Research/IFLS

Some of the larger individuals, measuring nearly 9 feet in length, were more assertive, pushing in with force to tear into the cow’s flesh. Smaller sharks were noticeably more cautious, circling the carcass deliberately before making their move.

The incident fascinated viewers, as the footage captured in detail the sharks’ faces, anatomy, and pearly-white teeth.

“That’s how I smile too when I get all the beef at Texas De Brazil,” another added.

“That shark has better dental health than I do!”

The sighting left scientists with more questions than answers, and netizens with plenty of memes

The sharks’ behavior wasn’t the only detail that caught scientists’ attention. As the animals fed, researchers noticed a peculiar motion: the sharks seemed to retract their eyes in what’s believed to be an adaptation meant to protect them while consuming large, struggling prey.

Unlike other species such as cats or some reptiles, Pacific sleeper sharks don’t have a nictitating membrane (the third eyelid that covers the eyes of sleepy felines), so this retraction may be a vital defense mechanism during feeding.

Two scuba divers in full gear floating on the ocean surface after dropping cow 1629 meters deep into sea for study

Image credits: Ahmet Kurt/Unsplash (Not the actual photo)

All of these details flew over the heads of netizens, however, who continued to be mesmerized by the sharks’ supposed “smiles.”

“‘I told you humans keep bringing a buffet!’” one commenter wrote.

“He must’ve got dental implants!” another joked. “I never thought I’d see a smiling shark.”

“I know that smile” Netizens kept making jokes about the sharks’ ‘smiles’

Comment by Dylan Bowd about unexpected smiling visitors during scientist's deep-sea cow study at 1629 meters depth.

Comment from Jonathan Vick saying beefs back on the menu boys referencing scientists dropping cow 1629 meters deep into sea study

Comment from Tamanna Kapoor asking if the shark is smiling in response to a deep-sea cow study with unexpected visitors.

Comment by Tania Borges smiling and joking about how she smiles when getting beef at Texas De Brazil, with social reactions.

Comment saying guys will be chasing that beef taste for their lives, related to scientists dropping cow 1629 meters deep into sea study.

Comment by Danny Walters saying humans keep bringing a buffet, related to scientists dropping cow 1629 meters deep into sea study.

Comment text on a light blue background saying shark must of got dental implants posted by Dora Law.

Comment by Coby Nguyen saying Sharks first time tasting beef with a crying emoji, related to scientists dropping cow deep into sea study.

Comment by Rob DeHostos saying he never thought he’d see a smiling shark with shark and smiling emoji included.

Comment about a cow carcass and the need to do something with it, related to scientists studying deep-sea environments.

Comment by Nick Hemstreet discussing evolution and cows after scientists drop a cow 1629 meters deep into sea for study.

Comment by Kevin McCormick with top fan badge, joking that a shark said fish are friends, not food.

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!