Marine biologist attaches 50 mW green laser to a lemon shark.
Sharks can be pretty terrifying creatures, with their sharp fangs and their predatory prowess. So naturally equipping one with a frickin' laser is going to make it the baddest creature in the sea right? Luckily for all of those poor creatures sharing the ocean with these beasts, this laser isn't powerful enough to cook their little fins off.
Earlier in April, Wicked Lasers teamed up with marine biologist celebrity Luke Tipple to create the world's first (real) laser-equipped shark. While Tipple originally rejected the idea calling it a "frivolous stunt", he then decided it would be a great opportunity to test a number of clips and attachments.
Unlike Dr. Evil's flesh-melting lasers, the Wicked Laser attached to the dorsal fin of this shark is completely harmless to the shark and the other creatures it interacts with. According to Sean Van Sommeran, executive director and founder of the Pelagic Shark Research Foundation, the lemon shark's new equipment might make life a little more difficult for the guy, rather than turning him into a hunting machine.
“The animal would essentially be carrying a roof rack of lights, attracting attention as it swims around,” he said. “Any time the animal goes deep into the water column, it will be more apparent. Predators can notice and take interest. Hammerhands might eat that lemon with a laser on it. And animals that the lemon may want to stalk can see it coming.”
Although some experts and shark-lovers aren't too happy about the device, we don't think this is something Wicked Lasers will be doing again. Unless they are secretly creating an army of sharks with higher powered lasers of course.
