How Do You Spell COOKIE CUTTER SHARK?

A cookie cutter shark is a small species of shark, scientifically known as Isistius brasiliensis, characterized by its unique feeding behavior and distinctive physical features. It typically measures around 20 to 30 centimeters in length and can be found in warm, tropical waters worldwide.

The name "cookie cutter" is derived from the shark's distinct method of feeding. It possesses large, specialized teeth that are shaped like a cylindrical cookie cutter, which are used to take round, cookie-like bites out of the flesh of larger marine animals, such as whales, dolphins, and fish. These circular bites leave behind distinctive scars or wounds that help identify the presence of the cookie cutter shark.

The shark's body is built for efficient feeding and survival in deep-sea environments. It has a stout and muscular body, with a dark brown or black coloration that aids in camouflage. The head is relatively large with a short, blunt snout and large eyes. The cookie cutter shark also possesses light-emitting organs known as photophores on its belly, which help it blend in with the faint light from above, making it difficult to spot when seen from below.

Despite its small size, the cookie cutter shark is known for its voracious appetite and prowess as a predator. Its feeding behavior allows it to take advantage of larger marine animals, enabling it to extract patches of flesh without killing its prey outright. This unique characteristic sets the cookie cutter shark apart from other members of the shark family and contributes to its ecological role in the marine environment.