El Demonio Negro: What is the Black Demon Shark of Cortez?

El Demonio Negro, a Spanish term used to describe a giant fearsome shark, is stalking the waters off Baja California in Mexico, prompting years of speculations, concerns, and curiosity not only amongst locals but also internationally.

Responsible for the alleged deaths of hundreds of whales and attacks on boats, the legendary animal dubbed as the "Black Demon shark of Cortez," is still yet to be confirmed.

Despite the uncertainty, anecdotal evidence or eyewitness accounts of the giant black shark has been recorded in several reports and documentaries.

Although differing perspectives are provided, there is a resounding and common theme the accounts are implying; the Black Demon has a size of up to 60 feet in length and similar to a school bus.

With this, the predatory shark is often compared by many to the now-extinct Megalodon (Otodus megalodon), others think it is a new yet unknown species, or is just large great white shark.

Regardless, El Demonio Negro has struck fear to the minds of people, with some claiming that it could exist and scarier than O. megalodon.

The oceans cover 70% of Earth's surface and humans have only explored 5% of the ocean floor, a gradual exploration process that has stalled for a long time, due to the dangers and depth of the oceans.

In this context, marine scientists have not identified and described all sea creatures out there.

It is for this reason that the existence of some unknown species like the Black Demon of Cortez is possible.

The Black Demon of Cortez

Long before photoshopped images and videos were uploaded online, tales of the Black Demon of Cortez are passed around locally in Mexico.

Stories alone of the gargantuan beast have been terrorizing both fishermen and tourists alike for several generations, according to the "Shark Week" program of the Discovery Channel.

In one episode entitled "Mega Jaws," the Discovery Channel covered the purported claims where it interviewed several local fishermen who have allegedly seen the "demon shark."

However, investigations revealed that the animal could potentially be a whale shark or any other known animal species like a manta ray or great white shark.

The legend originated from local people who reported having seen a large, black shark in the Sea of Cortez, also called the Gulf of California, off the coast of Mexico, claiming its jaws is wide enough to swallow a whale as a whole, according to the website AZ Animals.

Resemblance with Megalodon

The attribution of the Black Demon shark of Cortez with the megalodon is hard to prove, since the ancient shark went extinct around 2.6 million years ago, in which researchers blamed due to food competition with great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) that we see today.

According to the National History Museum, the megalodon can grow between 15 to 18 meters (49 to 59 feet) in length, which is three times longer than the biggest recorded great white shark.

The museum added that the size of the megalodon is comparable to today's largest whale sharks.