Rare prickly shark spotted during La Jolla Cove night dive highlights deepwater species near San Diego

A deepwater shark appears in coastal dive lights

A night dive off San Diego resulted in an unusual encounter with a prickly shark, a deepwater species that is rarely observed by recreational divers. The sighting occurred at La Jolla Cove, where two divers recorded video of the animal moving through their lights before disappearing back into darker water.

The encounter drew attention because prickly sharks typically inhabit much deeper parts of the Pacific. While they can occur across a broad depth range, they are commonly associated with the continental shelf and slope, where conditions are colder and light is limited.

What species was seen and how it is identified

The animal was identified as a prickly shark (Echinorhinus cookei), a stocky, dark-colored shark known for thorn-like dermal denticles that give it a rough, “prickly” appearance. Another key field mark is the presence of two small dorsal fins set far back on the body, along with the absence of an anal fin.

Prickly sharks have been documented from the U.S. West Coast southward into the Gulf of California. They can reach lengths of up to about 4 meters (roughly 13 feet), though the size of individuals encountered near shore can vary widely.

Why a deepwater shark might be seen near shore at night

Marine biologists describe the prickly shark as primarily bottom-associated and generally found at substantial depths, often cited around 100 to 650 meters. However, the species has also been recorded in shallower water at higher latitudes, including off California. Research descriptions of its behavior note nocturnal activity patterns and vertical movements that can bring it closer to shore after dusk.

This kind of night-time appearance fits a broader pattern seen in some deepwater and slope-associated species: individuals may use darker hours to shift into shallower zones, potentially to forage, before returning deeper.

What is known about the prickly shark’s behavior around people

Available observations characterize the prickly shark as slow-moving and generally non-aggressive toward humans. Recorded interactions with divers in other parts of California waters have described the sharks as oriented to the bottom and canyon walls and not behaving as a threat when approached.

Key facts about the prickly shark

• Scientific name: Echinorhinus cookei

• Distinctive features: thorn-like dermal denticles; two small dorsal fins positioned far back; no anal fin

• Typical habitat: continental shelf and slope; demersal and bottom-associated

• Commonly cited depth range: roughly 100–650 meters, with records spanning shallower to deeper extremes depending on location

Uncommon near-shore sightings can add useful context to what is still an incomplete picture of deepwater shark movements along the Southern California coast.

For San Diego divers, the La Jolla Cove encounter underscores how much biodiversity can pass through local waters after dark, including species most often associated with the deep sea.