Prehistoric 'devil shark' found in Arizona

Image credit: CC 3.0 Joxerra aihartza

Archaeologists have unearthed a new species of prehistoric shark with devil-like horns on its head. The creature's Latin name is Diablodontus michaeledmundi however it is perhaps better known as "Devil tooth" or "Devil shark". Dating back 260 million years, the species somehow survived a mass extinction event between the Permian and Triassic eras that took place 252 million years ago and wiped out 96% of life on the planet.


 While closely related to modern sharks the Devil shark was part of a now extinct group known as the hump-toothed sharks. With razor sharp teeth and an unusual pair of horns on top of its head, the shark is believed to have grown up to 3.5ft and would have fed on small fish and sea mammals. Archaeologists in Arizona have discovered a previously unknown prehistoric shark, with horns on its head and razor-sharp teeth.