Not exactly something you find everyday along the Columbia River. This 6-foot Mola mola, also known as an ocean sunfish, was brought up river by the high tide early last week. Mola mola are often found off of the Oregon Coast, especially in the summer but they tend to linger further offshore. These gentle giants can reach at least 8.9 feet in length and weigh over 5,000 pounds! There was also a report yesterday of one on the beach in Manzantia.

So what’s with all of the dead animals on the beach lately? As fall begins and the weather starts changing things that have died out at sea get pushed around by heavier winds and surf. It is not unusual to come across a few dead animals on the beach after a storm.

A four-foot salmon shark washed ashore yesterday in Arch Cape. The little shark had died before washing in. Luckily, it was still in great condition and we were able to recover the shark. It will be dissected by a local school group and samples will be taken to help scientists learn more about these amazing creatures.

Did you know 17 species of shark reside in Oregon’s coastal waters? From the legendary Great white to the large basking shark and the innocuous spiny dogfish, Oregon’s sharks are part of the complex ocean food web. During summer and fall months, Oregonians may notice juvenile sharks stranded on the beach. The salmon shark species is one of the most common species to wash ashore.

Named for their diet preference of eating salmon, the quick-swimming salmon shark can become stranded throughout the year, but are most commonly found during summer months. Salmon sharks give live birth to two to four pups off the southern Oregon coast in the spring and the juveniles follow ocean currents and prey. While this species is able to thermoregulate (control their body temperature up to 15 degrees Celsius above surrounding water temperature) and navigate vertically throughout the water column, some juveniles end up outside their ideal temperature range and are unable to thrive.

With an average length of seven feet and weighing in at 300 pounds, mature salmon sharks are quick enough to catch salmon, birds, squid and herring. With grey bodies and white bellies salmon sharks are often mistaken for the great white, but major differences in size, diet, and teeth patterns set the salmon sharks apart. Salmon shark teeth are notably pointed and smooth while white shark teeth are triangular and serrated.

While the salmon shark may look fierce, there has never been a reported incident of a salmon shark attack on a human. If you have a question about a stranded shark or other stranded marine life, contact local experts at the Seaside Aquarium, 503-738-6211.