Archive for the ELASMOBRANCHS Category

"Somniosus pacificus” Pacific Sleeper Sharks are large deep-water sharks that reach about 4.4 meters in length for males and 4.3 meters for females. It is thought that this species can reach up to 7 meters. The Pacific Sleeper Shark got its name because it's thought to be ratherRead more →

"Notorynchus cepedianus" As its name suggests, a Sevengill Shark has 7 pairs of gill slits (most sharks have only 5). Its back and sides are reddish-brown to silvery gray or olive-brown and speckled with many small black spots. The shark's underbelly is cream-colored. Other features include a wide headRead more →

"Cephaloscyllium ventriosum” Swell Sharks are small sharks that are very good at pretending to be bigger than they actually are. When threatened, they fill their stomachs with water or air to at least double their apparent size thus their name. This prevents their being pulled out of crevicesRead more →

"Brachaelurus waddi" The common name of this species arose from its behavior of closing its eyes when landed by anglers. The Blind Shark lives in shallow coastal waters and feeds at night on invertebrates and small fishes. The Blind Shark has a slightly flattened head, small eyes and a nasal barbel projecting fromRead more →

"Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos"  Gray Reef Sharks are dark gray or bronze-gray above (dorsal side) and white below (ventral side); their caudal (tail) fins have a conspicuous wide black posterior (rear) margin; the undersides of their pectoral & pelvic fins have black tips and posterior margins, but their fins otherwiseRead more →

"Hydrolagus colliei" Chimaeras (keye-meer-uh) are cartilaginous fish related to the sharks & rays are sometimes called Ghost Sharks, Rabbitfish or Ratfish. Chimaeras live in temperate ocean floors down to 2,600 meters (8,500 feet) deep, with few occurring at depths shallower than 200 meters (660 feet). For defense, most Chimaeras have a venomousRead more →

"Stegostoma fasicatum" Zebra Sharks have a cylindrical body with prominent ridges on the sides and 5 gill slits (slits 4 & 5 overlap). The tail lacks a ventral lobe and it is as long as the body. This shark has a broad head, small barbels and aRead more →

"Carcharhinus leucas" Bull Sharks also known as Zambezi Sharks, are a massive, fearsome sharks with a short, broad, blunt snouts, small eyes and triangular saw-edged upper teeth. Bull Sharks get their name from their short, blunt snout as well as their pugnacious disposition and a tendency toRead more →

"Trianodon obesus" Whitetip Reef Sharks are a slender species with a short, blunt snout. They are brown-gray on their dorsal (top) sides, white on their ventral (lower) sides. They have scattered dark gray spots along the sides of their bodies. The tips of their first dorsal fin and upperRead more →

"Orectolobus maculatus" The Wobbegong Shark also known as the Carpet Shark, resides in shallow waters of the Pacific & Indian oceans. The adult shark can range in length up to 10.5 feet and is known for its flattened head and yellowish-brown or gray blotchy appearance, which allows it toRead more →