A rare and hideous frilled shark was snagged in waters off southeastern Australia. 

The species is also known as a "living fossil" with its ancestors dating back 80 million years. 

The bizarre creature was caught on a fishing trawler near the Lakes Entrance in Victoria.

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Simon Boag, Chief Executive of the South East Trawl Fishing Association (SETFA), said it was the first time a frilled shark had been sighted.  It had 300 teeth in 25 rows.  "Good for dentists, but it is a freaky thing. I don't think you would want to show it to little children before they went to bed." Boag said.

In a radio interview, David Guillot, Captain of the trawler Western Alliance said, "I've been at sea for 30 years, and I've never seen a shark look like that."

The creature was about 2 meters long, with an eel-like head and body.  Its tail looked more like that of a shark.  Its long and flexible jaw allows it to swallow its prey whole, while its teeth clamp down to keep its prey from escaping.

Australian agency Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) confirmed the creature to be a frilled shark.  It was named as such for its six pairs of frill-like gills, and dorsal fins, similar to the predatory fish.

The species is believed to be living in as deep as 1,500 meters.  But fishermen caught it at 700 meters. 

The creature was offered to CSIRO, but the agency declined it as it already holds specimens. 

The frilled shark is now believed to have been sold.

Tagsfrilled shark, rare species, Australia, Fishing, shark