As if sharks with just one head weren’t scary enough, it now seems that seafarers have to contend with a rising population of two-headed sharks in the waters, yet the reason for their recent proliferation remains unclear.
Just last week National Geographic published an article assuring people that two-headed sharks aren’t a hoax or sideshow creation. They’re real, and they’re becoming more and more common, both hatching from eggs and from live birth, according to the Journal of Fish Biology. Recently, a fisherman in Florida caught a bullshark carrying a two-headed fetus and several years ago, a two-headed blue shark was found in the Indian Ocean.
Most of the specimens discovered were embryos or infants, as the hardships associated with the two-headed mutation keep the odds of survival to adulthood very low. So while that is good news for the legions of divers and surfers out there, it doesn’t bode quite so well for the sharks that share the ocean with them.
The blue shark has produced the most two-headed specimens, but it’s unknown if that’s due to a systematic cause or just that they produce a tremendous number of offspring overall (up to 50 at a time).
A couple of prevailing explanations are guiding the discussion – either from inbreeding caused by low populations due to overfishing or pollutants and toxins in the water leading to mutations. While these are somewhat distinct issues, the common thread between them is human disruption of the sharks’ environment.
Either way, the issue is much more likely a symptom of a bigger problem than a crisis in and of itself. If it takes the shocking image of a two-headed shark to get people discussing measures to preserve aquatic environments, this strange development might just serve as a catalyst for change.
Or, conversely, it could just lead to more tweets like this:
Say goodbye or make amends.Image via Canva - Photo by Inna Postnikova
Friends recording on a camcorder.Image via Canva - Photo by capturenow
This is an AI-generated image using the language "A beautiful woman with long eyelashes and red lips surrounded by swirls of colorful makeup." AI/Canva/Elyssa Goodman 
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.