TAITUNG, TAIWAN — Scientists recently discovered a rare species of shark that resemble aliens off the coast of Taiwan.<br /><br />Scientists from Taiwan's Fisheries Research Institute (FRI) caught five of the mysterious creatures off the coast of Taitung County's Donghe Township.<br /><br />First identified off the coast of Japan in 1986, viper sharks, or Trigonognathus[b] kabeyai, have only been found off the coasts of Japan, Hawaii, and Taiwan. <br /><br />Its Latin name refers to the shark's triangular, forward-extending jaws, and glowing markings on the shark's body. It isn't known if the markings are meant for communication or for attracting prey.
