Shark's massive 'mating scars' caught on camera
A filmmaker has caught one shark's set of gnarly "mating scars" on display in the ocean.
Jalil Najafov, from Azerbaijan, posted the footage on his Instagram page this morning.
The video shows a shark swimming, with clear wounds from another shark's jaws above its gills.
LIVE UPDATES: Australia and South Korea announce $1 billion defence deal
Images of a shark swimming with apparent "mating scars" has been caught on camera, off the coast of Mexico. Jalil Najafov/Instagram
"On rare occasions, during mating season among sharks, 'mating scars' appear on female sharks' bodies caused by the males holding onto them," Najafov wrote.
"These scars are mostly deeper cuts and punctures, indicating a more forceful motivation such as coercive mating from the male's side."
It's not the first time Mr Najafov has captured images of scarred sharks, with more images posted on his page from several months ago.
READ MORE: Emotional reunions as Queensland border opens
Another great white was pictured with a large bite mark near its dorsal fin. Jalil Najafov
The most recent video was shot off Isla Guadalupe, off the coast of Mexico.
Most shark species have never been observed mating in the wild.
There have been studies done on the possibility that sharks may engage in coercive mating.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
Most viewed in Australia
Australian woman who died after falling from cliff near Bali was Queensland ecologist
PM ‘stunned’ over Pauline Hanson’s attack on his late mother
Police called to One Nation event after clash between passer-by and volunteer
Six years ago, Australia had a $38 billion early super experiment. It didn’t go to plan
