Rare Video Shows Giant Pacific Sleeper Sharks Feeding on Cow Carcass in South China Sea

Marine researchers have recorded rare footage of giant Pacific sleeper sharks feeding deep in the South China Sea, surprising scientists with both their location and behavior.

A research team from Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou and the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory conducted the deep-sea experiment. They dropped a dead cow to the bottom of the ocean near Hainan Island, at a depth of 1,629 meters (over 5,300 feet), and installed cameras to watch what would happen.

What they saw amazed them: a group of giant Pacific sleeper sharks, a species rarely seen this far south. These sharks usually live in cold waters near the North Pacific, such as the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska.

What the Footage Showed

The video revealed a fascinating pattern. The sharks took turns feeding on the cow carcass, showing a hierarchical feeding system. Sharks that approached from behind got priority over those already feeding at the front. The researchers also noticed that all the sharks were female, which may mean the area serves as a nursery ground for these giant predators.

Why the Discovery Is Important

This rare sighting extends the known habitat of the Pacific sleeper shark. Until now, they were believed to live mainly in very cold regions. Finding them in the tropical waters of the South China Sea challenges previous beliefs about their range and behavior.

The Pacific sleeper shark can grow up to four meters long. It is both a scavenger and a stealth predator, moving quietly through the ocean to catch prey or feed on dead animals.

Although scientists know these sharks can live at depths of up to 2,000 meters, much of their life remains a mystery. How they feed, breed, or migrate is still not fully understood. These deep areas are hard to study, which makes this footage even more valuable.

A Growing Pattern?

This isn’t the first time the Pacific sleeper shark has been spotted in unexpected places. In January 2025, one was seen in the Tonga Trench, also at great depth. This growing list of sightings suggests that the species may be more widely distributed than previously thought.