Aussie scientists left stunned after tiger shark regurgitates entire echidna

A group of researchers from James Cook University (JCU) had a jaw-dropping experience while on a research trip off the Australian coast when they witnessed a tiger shark regurgitate an echidna.

The incident took place off the coast of Orpheus Island, north of Queensland, in May 2022. The researchers were tagging marine life when the 3m tiger shark approached their boat and unexpectedly threw up the iconic Australian animal.

Former JCU PhD student Nicolas Lubitz, who was part of the research team, described the shocking moment. “We were quite shocked at what we saw, we really didn’t know what was going on,” he said. “When it spat it out, I looked at it and remarked: ‘What the hell is that?’ Someone said to take a picture, so I scrambled to get my phone. I managed to only get one picture, but you can see the outline of the echidna in the water.”

The echidna was still fully intact when regurgitated, indicating that it was a recent kill by the shark. Echidnas are known to be decent swimmers and have been observed swimming across various bodies of water.

Dr. Lubitz explained that tiger sharks are known for their voracious appetites and will eat almost anything. In this case, he speculated that the echidna may have felt uncomfortable in the shark’s throat, leading to its regurgitation.

Interestingly, this was not the only surprising incident witnessed by the research team. They also observed another tiger shark regurgitating half a dugong, suggesting the shark had attempted to prey on the marine mammal.

The JCU team’s research is part of the Queensland Integrated Marine Observing System Acoustic Telemetry Array Project, which aims to gather data on marine life in the region. The project has already tagged over 800 animals with 10-year trackers and placed acoustic receivers along the coast to monitor marine life activity.

The researchers plan to release their findings later this year, shedding light on the behavior and feeding habits of marine animals in the area. The unexpected encounter with the tiger shark regurgitating an echidna has certainly added a thrilling twist to their research expedition.