Australian scientists shocked after tiger shark vomits spiky echidna

Scientists in Australia have been shocked after a tiger shark vomiteda spiky land-loving echidna in front of them. Scientists from the James Cook Universitywere tagging marine life on the northeast coast when the three-metretigershark they caught vomited a dead echidna -- a spiny creature similar to a hedgehog, the news agency AFP reported on Thursday (June 6).

Nicolas Lubitz from the James Cook University told AFP he could onlyassume the shark gobbled up the echidna while it was swimming in the shallows off the island, or travelling between islands.

"We were quite shocked at what we saw. We really didn't know what was going on.When it spat it out, I looked at it and remarked 'What the hell is that?" he added.

'Tiger sharks will eat anything'

The dead echidna was whole when it was regurgitated in May 2022, leading scientists to assume the shark had only recently eaten it, Lubitz told AFP. The scientist also pointed out that tiger sharks would eat anything.

"They're just a scavenger. I've seen videos of them eating a rock for no reason," Lubitz said, adding, "I think the echidna must have just felt a bit funny in its throat."

The shark was unharmedafter its spiky snack and scientists fitted it with an acoustic tracker before releasing it back into the water.

(With inputs from agencies)