Story perspectives

Shocking Discovery: Southern Sleeper Shark Thrives in Antarctic Waters

2/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers from the Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre filmed a southern sleeper shark in Antarctica in January 2025 at 490 meters near the South Shetland Islands.
The sighting challenges the belief that sharks cannot thrive in such cold waters, according to Heather Stewart, a senior researcher at the Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre.
Experts say climate change may influence marine distributions, potentially enabling Antarctic habitation, underscoring the need for further research.

1 of 1

Story summary

Researchers from the Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre filmed a southern sleeper shark in Antarctica in January 2025 at 490 meters near the South Shetland Islands.
The sighting challenges the belief that sharks cannot thrive in such cold waters, according to Heather Stewart, a senior researcher at the Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre.
Experts say climate change may influence marine distributions, potentially enabling Antarctic habitation, underscoring the need for further research.