African Angelshark Squatina africana
Relatively little is known about this African endemic species. The name "angelshark" is attributed to the characteristic flat body, and wing-like fins. During the daylight hours, the angelshark lies half-buried in the ocean substrate, remaining motionless before ambushing unsuspecting prey.
Habitat: Tropical, warm temperate waters; continental shelves and uppermost slopes, up to 1,640 ft.; western Indian Ocean
Length: 3.5 ft.
Diet: Bony fish, squid, and octopus
Color: Brown above with a pattern of light and dark spots, and white underside
Conservation level: Data Deficient
African Lanternshark Etmopterus polli
The African Lanternshark is a small and virtually unknown deepwater species. Its range lies within the eastern Atlantic between 980 and 3,280 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Upper continental shelves, up to 3,280 ft.; eastern Atlantic Ocean
Length: 11 in.
Diet: Cephalopods, fishes, and crustaceans
Color: Dark gray above, blackish underside
Conservation level: Data Deficient
African Ribbontail Catshark Eridacnis sinuans
The African Ribbontail Catshark is a poorly known species found in the western Indian Ocean, from Tanzania, South Africa, and Mozambique, at depths between 180 and 1,575 feet.
Habitat: Upper continental slope and outer shelf, up to 1,575 ft.; western Indian Ocean
Length: 14 in.
Diet: Small bony fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Uniformly gray-brown
Conservation level: Least Concern
African Sawtail Catshark Galeus polli
The African Sawtail Catshark is found from southern Morocco to Namibia, at depths of between 650 and 2,360 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; outermost shelf and upper slope, up to 2,360 ft.; eastern Atlantic Ocean
Length: 17 in.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Pale brown above, paler underside, weak to strong saddle markings
Conservation level: Least Concern
African Spotted Catshark Holohalaelurus punctatus
The African Spotted Catshark is endemic to the western Indian Ocean off Natal, South Africa, southern Mozambique, Madagascar, Kenya and Tanzania. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; uppermost continental slopes, up to 1,440 ft.; western Indian Ocean
Length: 13 in.
Diet: Small fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Yellowish-brown or orange-brown body, with small dark brown spots closely set
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Angelshark Squatina squatina
During the summer months, this species (in certain ranges) is known to make northern migrations. A nocturnal predator, the angelshark lies half-buried in the ocean substrate, remaining motionless before ambushing unsuspecting prey.
Habitat: Continental shelves from close inshore, up to 490 ft.; northeast Atlantic, Mediterranean
Length: 6 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes, skates, crustaceans, and mollusks
Color: Uniformly dark tan back, with small, irregular dark spots; paler underside
Conservation level: Critically Endangered
Angular Angelshark Squatina guggenheim
The Angular Angelshark is characterized as a bottom dweller, and is similar to other angelsharks in terms of its size. The species typically feeds on organisms found on or near the ocean floor, such as small bony fishes and crustaceans.
Habitat: Outer continental shelves, up to 1,180 ft.; southern Atlantic Ocean
Length: 4 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes, crustaceans, and mollusks
Color: Uniformly dark tan, small yellow spots and larger blackish marks
Conservation level: Endangered
Angular Dogfish Oxynotus centrina
Despite being critically endangered, the biology of the rare Angular Dogfish is virtually unknown. The shark is easily recognizable by its boisterous triangular body and bristly textured skin. Its range is limited to the eastern Atlantic Ocean, at depths of between 195 and 2,525 feet.
Habitat: Outer continental shelves and upper slopes, up to 2,525 ft.; eastern Atlantic Ocean
Length: 4.5-5 ft.
Diet: Polychaetes
Color: Uniformly gray to gray-brown
Conservation level: Critically Endangered
Antilles Catshark Galeus antillensis
The biology of the Antilles Catshark is virtually unknown. Its distribution is limited to the western central Atlantic, from the northern slopes of Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and the Caribbean, at depths between 490 and 2,295 feet.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental slope, up to 2,295 ft.; western Central Atlantic
Length: 18 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, including shrimp
Color: Dark brown saddle blotches and dark bands on the tail
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Arabian Carpetshark Chiloscyllium arabicum
The Arabian Carpetshark is endemic to the western Indian Ocean, specifically India, Pakistan, and the Arabian Peninsula, in depths up to 320 feet. Its biology remains virtually unknown.
Habitat: Coral reefs, rocky shores, and mangrove estuaries, up to 320 ft.; western Indian Ocean
Length: 2.5 ft.
Diet: Squid, shelled mollusks, crustaceans, and snake eels
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Arabian Catshark Halaelurus alcockii
The Arabian Catshark is known only from the holotype, which was found in the Arabian Sea at a depth of 3,940 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental slope, up to 3,940 ft.; western Indian Ocean
Length: ~11 in.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Arabian Smoothhound Mustelus mosis
The Arabian Smoothhound is endemic to the western Indian Ocean, from the Red Sea and eastern Africa to the Maldives, India and Sri Lanka. This species is part of one of the largest shark families, Triakidae. Many of the species within this family are small to moderate-sized nocturnal sharks and are generally seen close to the bottom in a variety of depths.
Habitat: Tropical waters; continental shelves, inshore and offshore, up to 820 ft.; western Indian Ocean
Length: 4.5-5 ft.
Diet: Small bottom fishes, mollusks, and crustaceans
Color: Gray or gray-brown above, white underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Argentine Angelshark Squatina argentina
Relatively little is known about this Argentine endemic species. The name "angelshark" is attributed to the characteristic flat body, and wing-like fins. During the daylight hours, the angelshark lies half-buried in the ocean substrate, remaining motionless before ambushing unsuspecting prey.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; continental shelves and uppermost slopes, up to 1,050 ft.; southwest Atlantic
Length: 5.5 ft.
Diet: Bony fish, squid and shrimp
Color: Purplish-brown, with dark brown spots encircling a central spot
Conservation level: Endangered
Arrowhead Dogfish Deania profundorum
The Arrowhead Dogfish is a small and virtually unknown deepwater dogfish. The species can be observed living at depths between 950 and 5,850 feet in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans.
Habitat: Upper continental and insular slopes, on or near the bottom, up to 5,850 ft.; Pacific Ocean, western Atlantic Ocean, eastern Atlantic, Indian Ocean
Length: 2.5 ft.
Diet: Bony fish, squid, and crustaceans
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Atlantic Ghost Catshark Apristurus atlanticus
The Atlantic Ghost Catshark is a deepwater species, endemic to the Atlantic Ocean, at depths between 1,830 and 4,800 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; upper continental slopes, muddy and sandy bottoms, up to 4,800 ft.; western and eastern Atlantic Ocean
Length: 26 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Atlantic Sawtail Catshark Galeus atlanticus
The Atlantic Sawtail Catshark is known only from a holotype found off Cape Spartel, on the northwest coast of Morocco, at 1,770 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Eastern Central Atlantic
Length: 14-15 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Gray above and whitish underside, with dark gray blotches and saddles along the body and tail
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
The Atlantic Sharpnose Shark found in the Atlantic Ocean, from New Brunswick, Canada, through the Gulf of Mexico and to the coast of Brazil. This species undertakes seasonal migrations, moving into deeper waters in the winter months and inshore to mate in the spring.
Habitat: Temperate and tropical waters; continental shelves, intertidal to deep waters, sandy beaches, bays, and estuaries, up to 920 ft.; Atlantic Ocean
Length: 3.5 ft.
Diet: Small bony fishes, shrimps, crabs, segmented worms, mollusks and gastropods
Color: Uniformly gray
Conservation level: Least Concern
Atlantic Weasel Shark Paragaleus pectoralis
A very common inshore to offshore species, the Atlantic Weasel Shark is endemic to the eastern Atlantic Ocean, off Cape Verde and Mauritania to northern Namibia (possibly Morocco), at depths up to 320 feet.
Habitat: Inshore to offshore, continental shelf, up to 320 ft.; eastern Atlantic
Length: 4.5 ft.
Diet: Cephalopods and small bony fishes
Color: Gray or bronze with yellow stripes, and white below
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Australian Angelshark Squatina australis
Before actively feeding at night, the species remains half-buried and immobile during the daylight hours. If disturbed, the angelshark can inflict severe pain on its prey.
Habitat: Shallow, coastal Australian waters with a sandy bed
Length: 5 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Gray-brown with dense white spots and smaller dark brown spots
Conservation level: Least Concern
Australian Blackspotted Catshark Aulohalaelurus labiosus
The Australian Blackspotted Catshark is endemic to western Australia in the eastern Indian Ocean. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Shallow coastal waters; coral reefs; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 26 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Least Concern
Australian Blacktip Shark Carcharhinus tilstoni
The Australian Blacktip Shark, often confused with the Blacktip Shark, is one of the most abundant sharks caught in gill nets off northern Australia. Black markings on the tips of several fins help distinguish this species from other tropical whaler sharks.
Habitat: Tropical waters; continental shelf, up to 490 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 5.5-6 ft.
Diet: Fish, cephalopods, prawns
Color: Bronze to gray above, paler underside
Conservation level: Least Concern
Australian Marbled Catshark Atelomycterus macleayi
The Australian Marbled Catshark is endemic to western Australia, in very shallow waters up to 13 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Shallow tropical waters; up to 13 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 23 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Pattern of gray saddles and light areas, outlined by small black spots
Conservation level: Least Concern
Australian Sawtail Catshark Galeus boardmani
The Australian Sawtail Catshark is a common, yet poorly known species, endemic to Australian waters. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; outer continental shelf and upper slope, on or near the bottom, up to 2,700 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 2 ft.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Three broad dark saddles in front of the first dorsal fin
Conservation level: Least Concern
Australian Sharpnose Shark Rhizoprionodon taylori
The Australian Sharpnose Shark is a poorly known species, found in the tropical waters of the western Pacific Ocean off Papua New Guinea and northern Australia, at depths up to 360 feet.
Habitat: Tropical waters; continental shelf from close inshore, up to 360 ft.; western Pacific Ocean
Length: 2.2 ft.
Diet: Fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans
Color: Brownish gray above, white underside
Conservation level: Least Concern
Australian Spotted Catshark Asymbolus analis
The Australian Spotted Catshark is endemic to the coastal waters of Australia, at depths up to 575 feet. Resting motionless among coral reefs, this species of catshark exhibits a capacity for camouflage during the daylight hours.
Habitat: Continental shelf, coral beds and rocky areas, up to 575 ft.; southwest Pacific
Length: 2.5-3 ft.
Diet: Small fish and crustaceans
Color: Light brown with white underside, dark spots over entire body
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Australian Swellshark Cephaloscyllium laticeps
The Australian Swellshark is found in the eastern Indian Ocean from western Australia to New south Wales, at depths up to 2,133 feet. Swellsharks are so named for their ability to ingest large amounts of water, swelling their bodies to twice their normal size when threatened by a predator.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; continental shelf, inshore to deep water, up to 2,133 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 3.3-5 ft.
Diet: Small reef fish, squid, and crustaceans
Color: Medium grayish to brownish, blotched color pattern and a dark median stripe on the underside
Conservation level: Least Concern
Australian Weasel Shark Hemigaleus australiensis
The Australian Weasel Shark is a newly discovered species within its genus. Its range lies within the tropical eastern Indian Ocean to the western Pacific, at depths between 40 and 560 feet.
Habitat: Continental and insular shelves from shallow, inshore bays down to 560 ft.; Indo-West Pacific Ocean
Length: 3-3.5 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans, cephalopods
Color: Pale body, with white spots on the tips of fins
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Azores Dogfish Scymnodalatias garricki
The Azores Dogfish is a very rare shark, known only from a holotype taken from the north Atlantic Ridge, north of the Azores.
Habitat: North Atlantic Ridge
Length: Not specified
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Bahamas Sawshark Pristiophorus schroederi
The Bahamas Sawshark is found in the western central Atlantic Ocean, exclusively the Bahamas and Cuba, and is known only from several specimens. Sawsharks, though similar in appearance, are in distinct from sawfish. Sawsharks bear a long snout, edged with large and small teeth, which they utilize to disable their prey.
Habitat: Continental and insular slopes, up to 3,280 ft.; Central Atlantic Ocean
Length: 2.6 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Balloon Shark Cephaloscyllium sufflans
The biology of the Balloon Shark is virtually unknown. Its distribution is limited to the western Indian Ocean from Mozambique and Natal, South Africa, at depths between 130 and 1,968 feet. Swellsharks are so named for their ability to ingest large amounts of water, swelling their bodies to twice their normal size when threatened by a predator.
Habitat: Temperate, subtropical waters; continental shelf and upper slope, over sandy bottoms, up to 1,968 ft.; western Indian Ocean
Length: 3.5 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans, cephalopods, bony fishes, and elasmobranches
Color: Pale gray-brown above, paler underside
Conservation level: Least Concern
Banded Houndshark Triakis scyllium
The Banded Houndshark is endemic to the northwest Pacific, from southern Siberia to Taiwan. Although typically a solitary species, the Banded Houndshark may be also be observed within group clusters or near the ocean floor.
Habitat: Continental and insular shelves, estuaries and sandy areas; northwest Pacific Ocean
Length: 4.5-5 ft.
Diet: Small fishes, crustaceans, and benthic invertebrates
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Banded Sand Catshark Atelomycterus fasciatus
The Banded Sand Catshark is endemic to the waters of northern Australia, at depths of between 88 and 395 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Tropical waters; muddy or sandy bottoms, up to 120 m.; Indo-West Pacific
Length: 17 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Color pattern dominated by grayish saddles and bands on lighter background
Conservation level: Least Concern
Barbeled Houndshark Levptocharias smithii
The Barbeled Houndshark is the only member of the genus Leptocharias. Its distribution is limited to the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from Mauritania to Namibia, at depths between 32 and 245 feet.
Habitat: Continental shelf, river mouths and muddy bottoms, up to 245 ft.; eastern Atlantic
Length: 2.5 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans, bony fishes, octopuses, and sponges
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Barbelthroat Wobbegong Cirrhoscyllium expolitum
The Barbelthroat Wobbegong is found in the China Sea between Luzon in the Philippines and China, at depths between 590 and 620 feet. Wobbegongs are ambush predators, remaining motionless in the reef structure before striking their prey.
Habitat: Continental shelf, offshore on or near the bottom, up to 620 ft.; western Pacific
Length: 13 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Six and ten diffuse saddle markings over the body
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Bareskin Dogfish Centroscyllium kamoharai
The Bareskin Dogfish is a rare and virtually unknown shark. Its range is thought to be restricted to the western Pacific, more specifically Japan and Australia.
Habitat: Continental slope, up to 3,937 ft.; western Pacific
Length: 15-23 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Dark color with white-tipped fins
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Bartail Spurdog Squalus sp. A
The Bartail Spurdog is known only from several specimens; and therefore, its biology is virtually unknown. The species is endemic to the waters off northeastern Australia, up to 1,475 feet.
Habitat: Pelagic, tropical continental shelf, up to 1,475 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 24 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Grayish-brown above, white underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Basking Shark Cetorhinus maximus
The Basking Shark is second in size only to the Whale Shark. Despite its enormous size, however, it feed exclusively on plankton, through an oral filtration system.
Habitat: Pelagic, often near the surface; temperate and cold waters worldwide
Length: 30-33 ft.
Diet: Zooplankton, small fish and invertebrates
Color: Black, with a slivery white mouth
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Bigeye Houndshark Iago omanensis
The Bigeye Houndshark is found in the western Indian Ocean from the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aqaba and the Gulf of Oman to Pakistan and southwestern India. This species is part of one of the largest shark families, Triakidae. Many of the species within this family are small to moderate-sized nocturnal sharks and are generally seen close to the bottom in a variety of depths.
Habitat: Deep continental shelves, up to 7,220 ft.; western Indian Ocean
Length: 14 in.
Diet: Bony fishes and cephalopods
Color: Brown or gray above, lighter underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Bigeye Sandtiger Shark Odontaspis noronhai
This large and rare shark is a deep-water species, ascending to the upper layers of the ocean during the night to feed. Its range is limited to the eastern Atlantic and the eastern central Pacific Ocean, up to 3,280 feet.
Habitat: Continental and insular shelves, up to 3,280 ft.; eastern Atlantic, eastern Central Pacific Ocean
Length: 9.5-11.5 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Uniformly chocolate brown, dark brown along fin margins
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Bigeye Sixgill Shark Hexanchus nakamurai
Appearing similar in body type to the Bluntnose Sixgill Shark, this species owes its name to its large eyes and six gill slits. Exhibiting behavior similar to other deepwater species, the Bigeye swims near the ocean floor, moving toward the surface layers at nightfall.
Habitat: Continental and insular shelves, up to 1,970 ft.; deep waters worldwide
Length: 5.5-6 ft.
Diet: Small fishes and invertebrates
Color: Light to dark to brownish-gray, lighter underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Bigeye Thresher Shark Alopias superciliosus
The Bigeye Thresher, similar to the Longtailed Thresher Shark, is found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide. Thresher Sharks are recognized by the long upper lobe of their caudal fin, which may sometimes as long as the body. They often utilize these long tails to stun their prey before feeding.
Habitat: Continental shelf, coastal bays and near shore waters, up to 1,800 ft.; temperate and tropical waters nearly worldwide
Length: 11-13 ft. Weight
Diet: Benthic fish, pelagic fish, squid, and crustaceans
Color: Purplish-gray to brownish-gray above, pale to cream underside
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Bignose Shark Carcharhinus altimus
The Bignose Shark is a large species, yet it is rarely encountered in the immense depths of its habitat. Its range is widespread in tropical and warm waters, at depths between 800 and 1,400 feet.
Habitat: Continental and insular shelves and uppermost slopes, up to 1,400 ft.; tropical and warm waters globally
Length: 8-10 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes, other sharks, stingrays, and cuttlefish
Color: Pale gray above, white underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Birdbeak Dogfish Deania calcea
Also known as a Brier Shark, the Birdbeak Dogfish is among the more abundant of the deepwater species. Its range lies within the eastern Atlantic and western Pacific oceans.
Habitat: Outer continental and insular shelves and upper slopes, up to 4,750 ft.; eastern Atlantic Ocean, western Pacific Ocean
Length: 2.5-3 ft.
Diet: Bony fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Uniformly gray-brown
Conservation level: Least Concern
Bizant River Shark Glyphis sp. A
The Bizant River Shark is a rare species of shark, endemic to waters of Australia. Its biology is virtually unknown, and the six known river sharks are vulnerable to extinction. Each river shark exhibits physical characteristics, such as small eyes, which suggest that the species is highly adapted to the freshwater habitat.
Habitat: (Freshwater, estuarial) western Pacific
Length: 6.5-8.5 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Uniformly gray with pale stripes
Conservation level: Endangered
Black Dogfish Centroscyllium fabricii
The Black Dogfish is an abundant deepwater shark, which utilizes special luminescent organs to attract its prey. The range of the species lies within the western Atlantic and eastern Atlantic Oceans.
Habitat: Outer continental shelf and upper continental shelf, up to 5,250 ft.; western Atlantic Ocean, eastern Atlantic Ocean
Length: 2.5-3 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans, cephalopods, jellyfish, and bony fishes
Color: Blackish-brown
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Black Roughscale Catshark Apristurus melanoasper
The Black Roughscale Catshark is a deepwater species, endemic to the northwest Atlantic slope, off the northern United States; and the northeast Atlantic off France, Ireland and the British Isles, at depths between 1,673 and 4,986 feet. Catsharks are a relatively unknown group of sharks, often recognized for their slender bodies and flattened snout, as well as cat-like slits for eyes.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental slopes, up to 4,986 ft.; Atlantic Ocean
Length: 2-2.5 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Uniformly black to slightly brown
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Blackfin Gulper Shark Centrophorus isodon
The Blackfin Gulper Shark is a rare and virtually unknown deepwater species. Its range is sporadic, ranging from Indian Ocean, South China Sea and western Central Pacific Ocean.
Habitat: Upper continental and insular slopes, up to 2,500 ft.; Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean
Length: 1-3.5 ft.
Diet: Teleosts, other dogfishes, cephalopods, and shrimps
Color: Blackish gray with darker anterior margins
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Blackgill Catshark Parmaturus melanobranchus
The Blackgill Catshark is known from only several specimens collected from the South China Sea, at depths between 1,770 and 2,660 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; upper continental slopes, muddy bottoms, up to 2,660 ft.; northwest Pacific
Length: 2.5-3 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Uniformly light brown to blackish-brown
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Blackmouth Catshark Galeus melastomus
The Blackmouth Catshark is endemic to the northeast Atlantic, at depths up to 6,145 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; outer continental shelves and upper slopes, up to 6,145 ft.; northeast Atlantic Ocean
Length: 23-31 in.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Irregular black markings on pale ground; white-tipped fins and dark saddles
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Blackmouth Lanternshark Etmopterus evansi
The small Blackmouth Lanternshark is an virtually unknown deepwater species, recorded off northwestern Australia and the Arafura Sea, at depths between 1,400 and 1,800 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Outermost continental shelves and upper slopes, up to 1,800 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 10 in,
Diet: Not specified
Color: Light brown above, darker underside with black around the mouth
Conservation level: Least Concern
Blacknose Shark Carcharhinus acronotus
The Blacknose Shark is found in the subtropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, from the surface to 320 feet. In an interesting display, the shark, when threatened, will hunch its back and raise its head to warn intruders.
Habitat: Temperate, subtropical and tropical waters; continental and insular shelves, up to 320 ft.; western Atlantic Ocean
Length: 4-6.5 ft.
Diet: Small fishes
Color: Gray, brown, or yellow above; white underside with a dark spot
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Blackspot Shark Carcharhinus sealei
The Blackspot Shark is endemic to the Indo-West Pacific, from East Africa to China and Australia, at depths up to 130 feet.
Habitat: Continental and insular shelves, from the surf line and intertidal region, up to 130 ft.; Indo-West Pacific
Length: 4.5-5 ft.
Diet: Small bony fishes, prawns, and squid
Color: Grayish or gray-brown above, white underside and a black spot on the second dorsal fin
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Blackspotted Catshark Halaelurus buergeri
The Blackspotted Catshark is endemic to the northwest Pacific, from Japan, Korea, China, and Taiwan, at depths between 260 and 330 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; continental shelf in the sublittoral zone, up to 330 ft.; northwest Pacific
Length: 19 in.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Blackspotted Smoothhound Mustelus punctulatus
The Blackspotted Smoothhound is a virtually unknown Houndshark, found in the Atlantic from the Mediterranean to the Western Sahara, at depths up to 820 feet.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; inshore, continental shelves, up to 820 ft.; eastern Atlantic
Length: 4.5-5 ft.
Diet: Small fishes and crustaceans
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Blacktailed Spurdog Squalus melanurus
The Blacktailed Spurdog defends itself by whipping a long second dorsal spine at its prey. Its range is limited to the western Pacific, at depths between 111 and 1,575 feet; however, little is known of its biology.
Habitat: Upper insular slopes, up to 1,575 ft.; western Pacific
Length: 2.6 ft.
Diet: Lanternfishes, boarfishes, barracudinas, and flatheads
Color: Gray to grayish-brown, lighter underside
Conservation level: Least Concern
Blacktip Reef Shark Carcharhinus melanopterus
Often confused with the Blacktip Shark, this species regularly patrols the shoreline along reefs, atolls, and lagoons at dawn and before dusk. Its vivid black-tipped fins easily distinguish this shark from other species that share its habitat.
Habitat: Tropical and warm temperate waters; Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Mediterranean
Length: 6.5 ft.
Diet: Reef fish
Color: Brown above, black dorsal fins, white underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Blacktip Sawtail Catshark Galeus sauteri
The Blacktip Sawtail Catshark is endemic to the western Pacific, more specifically Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental shelves, up to 295 ft.; western Pacific Ocean
Length: 15 in.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Blacktip Shark Carcharhinus limbatus
This Blacktip is known for its high speed and has been observed breaching the surface, rotating several times on its axis before re-entering the water.
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical waters; up to 200 ft.; worldwide
Length: 6.5 ft.
Diet: Gregarious fish, and sometimes other sharks
Color: Varieties of gray above, white underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Blacktip Tope Hypogaleus hyugaensis
The Blacktip Tope is the only member of the genus Hypogaleus. The species is found in deep water in the Indo-West Pacific, from East Africa and the Persian Gulf to Taiwan and Japan, at depths between 130 and 755 feet.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental shelf, up to 755 ft.; Indo-West Pacific
Length: 4 ft.
Diet: Small fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans
Color: Dull gray above, paler underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Blackunderside Lanternshark Etmopterus lucifer
The Blackunderside Lanternshark is an virtually unknown deepwater species. This particular species is often observed in large schools, which suggests that its luminescent organs are used, not only to attract prey, but also to keep the group together.
Habitat: Tropical, subtropical and temperate waters; outer continental, insular shelves and upper slopes, up to 4,100 ft.; southwest Atlantic Ocean, western Indian Ocean, western and southeast Pacific Ocean
Length: 18 in.
Diet: Small bony fishes, squid, and shrimp
Color: Dark gray back, black underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Blind Shark Brachaelurus waddi
The Blind Shark is said to close its eyes when held out of the water, which may be attributed to its name. Blind sharks often rest in crevices and caves during the day, and are capable of living out of water for an extended period of time. As such, the Blind Shark has been observed in just several inches of water.
Habitat: Shallow beds and tide pools, up to 330 ft.; western Pacific Ocean
Length: 23-27 in.
Diet: Crabs, shrimps, sea anemones, and small fish
Color: Brown above, sometimes with darker saddle-stripes, yellowish underside with white spots
Conservation level: Least Concern
Blotched Catshark Scyliorhinus meadi
The Blotched Catshark is known only from a single specimen, the holotype, which was captured off West Australia at a depth of 470 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; up to 470 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 17 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Blotchy Swellshark Cephaloscyllium umbratile
The Blotchy Swell Shark is found in the subtropical western Pacific Ocean from Japan to the South China Sea, and possibly to Papua New Guinea, at depths between 65 and 655 feet. Swellsharks are so named for their ability to ingest large amounts of water, swelling their bodies to twice their normal size when threatened by a predator.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; coral reefs and rocky areas, up to 655 ft.; western Pacific
Length: 4 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans, cephalopods, and other sharks
Color: Lightly colored with irregular saddles, with numerous blotches on the underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Blue Shark Prionace glauca
The Blue Shark prefers cooler waters worldwide and is known to migrate over long distances, such as from America to Spain. In order to combat the scarcity of food in the open sea, the Blue Shark utilizes gill rakers, which enable the species to filter small prey.
Habitat: Temperate, subtropical, and tropical waters; up to 500 ft.; worldwide
Length: 8-10 ft.
Diet: Small pelagic bony fishes, squid, and turtle and whale carcasses
Color: Indigo back, white underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Bluegray Carpetshark Heteroscyllium colcloughi
Extremely limited geographically and threatened by intensive fishing, the Bluegray Carpetshark maintains a finite number of recordings. Remarkably, this species is capable of surviving out of water for long periods of time.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; continental shelf close inshore, up to 20 ft.; southwest Pacific Ocean
Length: 23 in.
Diet: Benthic invertebrates
Color: Uniformly gray to brown
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Bluespotted Bamboo Shark Chiloscyllium caerulopunctatum
The Bluespotted Bamboo Shark was previously classified as synonymous with Chiloscyllium plagiosum (Whitespotted Bamboo Shark); however this shark is now recognized as its own species. It is endemic to the western Indian Ocean, exclusively Madagascar.
Habitat: Subtropical waters, western Indian Ocean
Length: 2.2 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Light brown above, paler underside, with blue-white spots
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Bluntnose Sixgill Shark Hexanchus griseus
The Bluntnose is an unmistakable species with six gill slits, a single dorsal fin, and fluorescent green eyes. Similar to other deep-sea creatures, this shark is known to travel to the surface at night and return to deep waters before dawn.
Habitat: Very deep waters, up to 6,500 ft.; temperate and cold waters worldwide
Length: 12-13 ft.
Diet: Mollusks and crustaceans
Color: Tan to black, with darker spots on its sides
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Blurred Smooth Lanternshark Etmopterus bigelowi
Also known as a Blurred Lanternshark, the biology of this species, like many other deepwater sharks, is virtually unknown. Its range is widespread throughout the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans, between 530 to 3,280 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Continental shelves and slopes, island slopes, and submarine ridges and seamounts, up to 3,280 ft.; eastern and western Atlantic Oceans, eastern and western Indian Oceans, and eastern, western, northern Pacific Oceans
Length: 26 in.
Diet: Small sharks, squids and myctophids
Color: Uniformly black
Conservation level: Least Concern
Boa Catshark Scyliorhinus boa
The Boa Catshark is endemic to the western Atlantic, from Barbados, Lesser Antilles, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Honduras to Colombia. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental shelves and insular slopes, 2,215 ft.; western Atlantic
Length: 21 in.
Diet: Small fishes, crustaceans, cephalopods
Color: Uniformly pale yellowish-brown
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Bonnethead Shark Sphyrna tiburo
While this timid shark typically swims in small groups of up to 15 individuals, it migrates seasonally in much larger shoals. The Bonnethead uses a special body fluid to help others know it is nearby, and exhibits a refined system of electroreceptors to detect its prey.
Habitat: Shallow coastal waters in temperate and tropical waters; Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean
Length: 3.5 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans, mollusks, blue crabs, and small fishes
Color: Gray-brown above, white underside
Conservation level: Least Threatened
Borneo River Shark Glyphis sp. B
For nearly one hundred years, the Borneo River Shark was thought to be extinct. Its biology is virtually unknown, and the six known river sharks are vulnerable to extinction. Each river shark exhibits physical characteristics, such as small eyes, which suggest that the species is highly adapted to the freshwater habitat.
Habitat: (Freshwater) River systems in proximity of Borneo, Indonesia
Length: 6.5 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Uniformly gray
Conservation level: Endangered
Borneo Shark Carcharhinus borneensis
The Borneo Shark is a rare species; and up until recently, was undocumented for over a century. As a result of unabated fishing, and despite being virtually unknown, the shark is listed as endangered. Its range is limited to the Indo-West Pacific, more specifically Borneo and China.
Habitat: Tropical waters; inshore in coastal areas; Indo-West Pacific Ocean
Length: 27 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Brown above, white underside
Conservation level: Endangered
Bramble Shark Echinorhinus brucus
The biology of the rare Bramble Shark remains virtually unknown. This is the result of only sporadic recordings across its wide range.
Habitat: Temperate and tropical waters; upper and middle continental slope, up to 2,950 ft.; western Atlantic, eastern Atlantic, western Indian Ocean, western Pacific
Length: 10 ft.
Diet: Small sharks, bony fishes, and crabs
Color: Gray or brown back, dark spots, lighter underside
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Brazilian Sharpnose Shark Rhizoprionodon lalandii
The Brazilian Sharpnose Shark is found in the western Atlantic, from Panama to southern Brazil and Uruguay, at depths up to 230 feet.
Habitat: Shallow water, sandy and muddy bottoms, up to 230 ft.; western Atlantic
Length: 2.5 ft.
Diet: Small bony fishes, shrimp, and squid
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Bristly Catshark Halaelurus hispidus
The Bristly Catshark is found from southeastern India and the Andaman Islands, at depths between 656 and 985 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Upper continental slopes, up to 985 ft.; Indian Ocean
Length: 11 in.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Broadbanded Lanternshark Etmopterus gracilispinis
The small Broadbanded Lanternshark is an virtually unknown deepwater species. Its distribution is widespread in western Atlantic Ocean waters and off South Africa in depths between 328 to 3,280 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Temperate and subtropical waters, outer continental shelves and upper to middle slopes, up to 3,280 ft. (also pelagically up to 7,350 ft.); western Atlantic Ocean, and off South Africa
Length: 13 in.
Diet: Bony fish, octopus, squid and deep-water shrimp
Color: Brown above, blackish underside
Conservation level: Least Concern
Broadfin Sawtail Catshark Galeus nipponensis
The Broadfin Sawtail Catshark is endemic to the northwest Pacific from Japan and the Kyushu-Palau Ridge. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; northwest Pacific
Length: 27 in.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Broadfin Shark Lamiopsis temminckii
The Broadfin Shark is the only member of the genus Lamiopsis. The biology of this species is poorly known, and its distribution is limited to the Indo-West Pacific.
Habitat: Tropical, coastal, inshore waters; up to 165 ft.; Indo-West Pacific
Length: 5.5 ft.
Diet: Small fishes and invertebrates
Color: Gray or yellow-gray above, lighter underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Broadgill Catshark Apristurus riveri
The Broadgill Catshark is a deepwater species, endemic to the western central Atlantic from Cuba, the Gulf of Mexico, and Panama. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental slopes, up to 4,920 ft.; western central Atlantic Ocean
Length: 18 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Uniformly dark brown
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Broadhead Catshark Halaelurus clevai
The Broadhead Catshark is known from a single specimen, the holotype, found off Madagascar at a depth between 1,395 and 1,640 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 1,640 ft.; western Indian Ocean
Length: Not specified
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Broadmouth Catshark Apristurus macrostomus
The Broadmouth Catshark is a rare deepwater species, known only from a holotype captured from off Zhejiang in the South China Sea. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 2,995 ft.; northwest Pacific
Length: 14 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Broadnose Catshark Apristurus investigatoris
The Broadnose Catshark is a deepwater species, endemic to the East China Sea, at depths up to 3,412 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 3,412 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 10 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Broadnose Sevengill Shark Notorynchus cepedianus
While most shark species have five gill slits, this species exhibits seven. The Broadnose often takes advantage of poor visibly to conceal itself from prey, ambushing quickly when ready to feed.
Habitat: Continental shelf, often in shallow waters of bays and estuaries, up to 165 ft.; temperate zones of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Ocean
Length: 6.5-10 ft.
Diet: Benthic fish, other sharks, and large rays
Color: Gray or brown with spots
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Brown Catshark Apristurus brunneus
The Brown Catshark is a deepwater species, endemic to the eastern Pacific Ocean, from British Columbia, Canada, to northern Baja California, and from Mexico to Panama, Ecuador, and Peru. Catsharks are a relatively unknown group of sharks, often recognized for their slender bodies and flattened snout, as well as cat-like slits for eyes.
Habitat: Deepwater; outer continental shelf and the upper slope, up to 2,130 ft.; eastern Pacific Ocean
Length: 11-23 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Uniformly dark brown with light colored markings
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Brown Lanternshark Etmopterus unicolor
The biology of the Brown Lanternshark, like many other deepwater species, is virtually unknown. It is endemic to the western Pacific, in depths between 1,300 and 4,500 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Continental shelves and sea mounts, up to 4,500 ft.; western Pacific
Length: 27 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Gray to dark brown to brownish-black above, black underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Brown Shyshark Haploblepharus fuscus
The Brown Shyshark is the largest shyshark. Its distribution is limited to the southeast Atlantic, exclusively southern Africa, at depths up to 330 feet. When pulled from the water, these sharks are said to cover their eyes with their tail, earning them a "shy" reputation.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; close inshore on the continental shelf, often in rocky areas, up to 330 ft.; southeast Atlantic
Length: 23 in.
Diet: Lobsters, crabs, and small bony fish
Color: Uniformly brown
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Brown Smoothhound Mustelus henlei
The Brown Smoothhound is endemic to the eastern Pacific, from northern California to the Gulf of California; as well as Ecuador and Peru. This species is part of one of the largest shark families, Triakidae. Many of the species within this family are small to moderate-sized nocturnal sharks and are generally seen close to the bottom in a variety of depths.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; continental shelf, over sandy bottoms, up to 650 ft.; eastern Pacific
Length: 3.2 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans, bony fishes, squids, and coelenterates
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Least Concern
Brownbanded Bamboo Shark Chiloscyllium punctatum
The Brownbanded Bamboo Shark is a resilient species, often surviving in captivity for up to 25 years. The shark is difficult to observe in its natural habitat, as it is easily frightened. The Brownbanded also has the ability to "switch off" non-essential brain functions to survive low oxygen conditions (i.e. tidepools).
Habitat: Tropical waters; mainly coral reefs, up to 275 ft.; Indo-West Pacific
Length: 3-3.5 ft.
Diet: Bottom invertebrates and small fish
Color: Uniformly brown
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Brownspotted Catshark Scyliorhinus garmani
The Brownbanded Catshark is a rare and poorly known species, endemic to the Indo-West Pacific. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Tropical waters; Indo-West Pacific
Length: ~14 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Dark spots and dusky saddle marks, interspersed with dark and light spots
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Bull Shark Carcharhinus leucas
Also known as a Cub Shark, this species is an opportunistic hunter, eating most anything it can catch. The Bullhead is also among a small group of sharks capable of surviving in fresh water for long periods of time.
Habitat: Warm, shallow waters in rivers and along coasts, up to 100 ft.; Worldwide and in Zambezi, Mississippi, and Amazon rivers
Length: 10-11 ft.
Diet: Bony fish, other sharks, rays, dolphins, turtles, birds, mollusks, echinoderms, crustaceans
Color: Gray, with a paler underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Burmese Bamboo Shark Chiloscyllium burmensis
The Burmese Bamboo Shark is an extremely rare shark, known only from a holotype retrieved off Rangoon in Burma.
Habitat: Tropical waters; up to 110 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: ~1.8 ft.
Diet: Small bony fishes
Color: Dark fins and body
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Campeche Shark Parmaturus campechiensis
The Campeche Shark is known only from an immature holotype recovered from the Bay of Campeche, Gulf of Mexico. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental slope, up to 1,100 m.; western central Atlantic Ocean
Length: ~6 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Caribbean Dogfish Oxynotus caribbaeus
Also known as a Caribbean Roughshark, virtually nothing is known of the Caribbean Dogfish and its biology. Its range is limited to the western Central Atlantic, more specifically the Caribbean, at depths between 1,300 and 1,475 feet.
Habitat: Upper continental slopes, up to 1,475 ft.; western Central Atlantic
Length: 19.5 in.
Diet: Fish and bottom invertebrates
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Caribbean Lanternshark Etmopterus hillianus
The Caribbean Lanternshark is a small and virtually unknown deepwater species, found in the eastern and western Atlantic at depths between 590 and 2,360 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Upper continental and insular slopes, up to 2,360 ft.; western central Atlantic Ocean
Length: 19 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Gray or dark brown above, and black underneath
Conservation level: Least Concern
Caribbean Reef Shark Carcharhinus perezii
This species is among the most commonly observed reef sharks in proximity of the Caribbean. Preferring to cruise along the bottoms of outer reef edges, this reef shark may also be seen resting motionless on rock terraces and in caves.
Habitat: Coastal waters and continental shelves, up to 100 ft.; western Atlantic Ocean
Length: 6.5-8 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes, cephalopods, small sharks, and rays
Color: Gray or gray-brown above, white underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Caribbean Sharpnose Shark Rhizoprionodon porosus
Small and gregarious, this species is able to tolerate various levels of water salinity. Due to this fact, the shark is able to travel into fresh waters around river mouths and estuaries.
Habitat: Shallow coastal waters, up to 1,640 ft.; western Atlantic Ocean
Length: 10 ft.
Diet: Small bony fishes, marine snails, squid and shrimp
Color: Brown to grayish-brown above, white underside
Conservation level: Least Concern
Chain Catshark Scyliorhinus retifer
The Chain Catshark is a nocturnal species, often observed resting at the bottom during the daylight hours. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; outer continental shelf and upper slope on rough, rocky bottoms, up to 1,800 ft.; western Atlantic Ocean
Length: 19 in.
Diet: Polychaetes, squid, bony fish and crustaceans
Color: Boldly marked body, with distinct black lines on a pale brownish background
Conservation level: Least Concern
Chilean Angelshark Squatina armata
Relatively little is known about this Chilean endemic species. The name "angelshark" is attributed to the characteristic flat body, and wing-like fins. During the daylight hours, the angelshark lies half-buried in the ocean substrate, remaining motionless before ambushing unsuspecting prey.
Habitat: Subtropical waters on continental shelves and uppermost slopes, up to 250 ft.; Chile
Length: 3.3 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Reddish-brown to gray above, and paler underside
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Clouded Angelshark Squatina nebulosa
Similar to the Japanese Angelshark, this species inhabits the deep waters of Taiwan and Japan near rock and reef bottoms. Motionless by day, the Clouded Angelshark buries itself in sandy substrate in preparation for ambush on its prey.
Habitat: Sandy bottoms at the foot of rocks and reefs; Tropical Pacific Ocean
Length: 5-6 ft.
Diet: Fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Brown to bluish-brown, scattered light and black spots
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Cloudy Catshark Scyliorhinus torazame
The Cloudy Catshark is found only off the Izu peninsula of Japan, at depths up to 330 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Tropical waters; continental shelf, up to 330 ft.; Pacific Ocean
Length: 20 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Distinct dusky saddle marks, interspersed with dark and light spots
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Cobbler Wobbegong Sutorectus tentaculatus
The Cobbler Wobbegong is distinguished by its large dermal tubercles, which appear similar to warts. Little is known of its biology, however it is found in the subtropical eastern Indian Ocean in proximity to western Australia. Wobbegongs are ambush predators, remaining motionless in the reef structure before striking their prey.
Habitat: Tropical waters; inshore on continental shelves, rocky areas and coral reefs; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 2.5-3 ft.
Diet: Mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish
Color: Gray or light brown above, with a complicated pattern of darker saddle-stripes
Conservation level: Least Concern
Collared Carpetshark Parascyllium collare
The Collared Carpetshark is a common, yet poorly known species endemic to eastern Australia. Carpetsharks are so named for carpet-like patterns and markings, which many members exhibit on their dorsal surfaces.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; continental shelf, rocky reefs or firm bottoms, up to 390 ft.; southwest Pacific
Length: 2.5-3 ft.
Diet: Not specific
Color: Light yellowish to reddish-brown, with dark brownish collar around the gills, five saddles, and various dark spots on the body
Conservation level: Least Concern
Combtooth Dogfish Centroscyllium nigrum
The Combtooth Dogfish is a rare and virtually unknown deepwater shark. The species is endemic to the eastern Pacific, as well as around Hawaii, between 1,300 and 3,750 feet.
Habitat: Continental and insular slopes, up to 3,750 ft.; eastern Pacific Ocean
Length: 19 in.
Diet: Fish and invertebrates
Color: Blackish-brown with white-tipped fins
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Combtoothed Lanternshark Etmopterus decacuspidatus
The Combtoothed Lanternshark is a rare and virtually unknown deepwater shark. The species is known to inhabit the northwest Pacific between, at a depth between 1,675 and 2,260 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 2,260 ft.; Indo-West Pacific
Length: 11 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Brown back, black underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Comoro Catshark Scyliorhinus comoroensis
The Comoro Catshark is a rare species, known from a single specimen and holotype taken from the Comoro Islands in the Indian Ocean at 1,310 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 1,310 ft.; western Indian Ocean
Length: Not specified
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Cookiecutter Shark Isistius brasiliensis
The species is most recognizable for its cigar-shaped body and its strong, well-developed teeth, which it uses to tear perfectly circular chunks of flesh from larger animals such as dolphins and swordfish.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 3,300 ft.; tropical waters worldwide
Length: 12-20 in.
Diet: Crustaceans and large fish
Color: Dark brown above, white underside
Conservation level: Least Concern
Copper Shark Carcharhinus brachyurus
Also known as a Bronze Whaler, the Copper Shark is found in offshore waters along continental margins, as well as inshore and within bays. This species follows migratory patterns, traveling north during the summer and south during the winter.
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical waters; open seas and coastal reefs, up to 330 ft.; worldwide
Length: 6.5-8 ft.
Diet: Fish, small sharks, and cephalopods
Color: Gray or bronze above, white underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Coral Catshark Atelomycterus marmoratus
The Coral Catshark is a common inshore shark found on coral reefs within the Indo-West Pacific. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Shallow waters; coral reefs; Indo-West Pacific Ocean
Length: 27 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Pattern of saddle markings, light gray and white spots outlined by large black spots
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Creek Whaler Carcharhinus fitzroyensis
The Creek Whaler is a poorly known species endemic to the western Pacific, more specifically, northern Australia, from western Australia to Queensland, at depths up to 130 feet.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; inshore and offshore on continental shelves, up to 130 ft.; western Pacific
Length: 4.2 ft.
Diet: Teleost fishes and crustaceans
Color: Bronze above, grayish-brown underside
Conservation level: Least Concern
Crested Bullhead Shark Heterodontus galeatus
This small, nocturnal shark exhibits notable crests above the eyes, and is often found in public aquariums. Forcing its way into rock crevices, it teases out sea urchins, mollusks, and crustaceans to feed on.
Habitat: Rocky areas within kelp forests and Posidonia prairies, up to 300 ft; Australian
Length: 5 ft.
Diet: Sea urchins, mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish
Color: Broad blackish bands and saddle markings
Conservation level: Least Concern
Crocodile Shark Pseudocarcharias kamoharai
The behavior of the Crocodile Shark is not well known, but it is believed to be a fast-swimming shark, probably capable of leaping out of the water. Its large eyes may indicate either nocturnal activity an adaptation to its deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Inshore to offshore, up to 1,935 ft.; tropical and subtropical waters globally
Length: 6 ft. Weight
Diet: Bony fishes, squids and shrimp
Color: Light or dark gray above, paler underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Cuban Dogfish Squalus cubensis
The Cuban Dogfish is a virtually unknown shark, found in the western Atlantic, at depths between 200 and 1,250 feet.
Habitat: Warm to tropical waters on continental shelves and uppermost slopes, up to 1,250 ft.; western Atlantic
Length: 3.6 ft.
Diet: Bottom fishes and invertebrates
Color: Gray above with black tips
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Cuban Ribbontail Catshark Eridacnis barbouri
The Cuban Ribbontail is a poorly known species found off the western Atlantic Ocean, from the Florida Straits to north coast of Cuba, at depths between 1,410 and 2,010 feet.
Habitat: Upper continental and insular slopes, up 2,010 ft.; western Central Atlantic Ocean
Length: 6.5 ft.
Diet: Small fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Cylindrical Lanternshark Etmopterus carteri
Also known as a Carter Gilbert's Lanternshark, this rare deepwater species remains virtually unknown. Its range is thought to be limited to the Caribbean coast of Colombia, in depths between 900 and 1,150 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Caribbean coast of Colombia in South America, up to 1,165 ft.; western Central Atlantic
Length: 8-9 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Uniformly black
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Cyrano Spurdog Squalus rancureli
The Cyrano Spurdog is known only from several specimens. This species is endemic to the western central Pacific Ocean, from the Chesterfield Islands, New Caledonia, and Efate, Vanuatu, at depths between 1,050 and 1,300 feet.
Habitat: Insular slopes, up to 1,300 ft.; western Central Pacific Ocean
Length: 2-2.5 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Daggernose Shark Isogomphodon oxyrhynchus
The Daggernose Shark is the only member of the genus Isogomphodon. Its distribution is limited to the coastal waters off northern South America, at depths up to 50 feet.
Habitat: Tropical waters; inshore over rocky bottoms, estuaries and river mouths, up to 50 ft.; western Atlantic Ocean
Length: 5.2 ft.
Diet: Small schooling fishes
Color: Gray to brown above, white underside
Conservation level: Critically Endangered
Dark Shyshark Haploblepharus pictus
The Dark Shyshark is a poorly known species, endemic to the southeast Atlantic, from Namibia to southwestern Cape Province, South Africa. When pulled from the water, these sharks are said to cover their eyes with their tail, earning them a "shy" reputation.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; continental shelf, inshore waters and shallow sandy areas; southeast Atlantic
Length: 22 in.
Diet: Small fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Yellowish-brown body with dark markings and large light spots, dark brown or blackish saddles
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Deepwater Catshark Apristurus profundorum
The Deepwater Catshark is endemic to the western and eastern Atlantic from Morocco and northwest Africa. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 5,740 ft.; western Atlantic Ocean
Length: 21 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Uniformly grayish brown
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Deepwater Sicklefin Houndshark Hemitriakis abdita
The Deepwater Sicklefin Houndshark is a poorly known species, recorded from only several specimens. Its distribution is limited to the western central Pacific from the Coral Sea off Queensland, Australia and from New Caledonia, at depths up to 740 feet.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 740 ft.; western central Pacific
Length: 65-80 cm.
Diet: Small fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Densescale Lanternshark Etmopterus pycnolepis
The Densescale Lanternshark is a virtually unknown deepwater species. It is found in the southeast Pacific, in proximity to Peru and Chile, at depths up to 1,150 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Continental slope and submarine ridges, up to 1,150 ft.; southeast Pacific Ocean
Length: 17 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Draughtsboard Shark Cephaloscyllium isabellum
The Draughtsboard Shark is found in the southwest Pacific Ocean, endemic to New Zealand, at depths of between 60 and 720 feet. Interestingly enough, this particular species has been reported to bark like a large dog. Swellsharks are so named for their ability to ingest large amounts of water, swelling their bodies to twice their normal size when threatened by a predator.
Habitat: Reef structures, sandy areas, up to 720 ft.; southwest Pacific Ocean
Length: 3.2 ft.
Diet: Fishes and invertebrates
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Least Concern
Dumb Gulper Shark Centrophorus harrissoni
Habitat: Upper to middle continental slope, up to 1,260 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 3.5-4 ft.
Diet: Teleost fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans
Color: Gray to blackish brown body
Conservation level: Critically Endangered
Dusky Catshark Halaelurus canescens
The Dusky Catshark is found from Peru and Chile to the Straits of Magellan, at depths between 820 and 2,295 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; upper continental slopes, muddy or rocky bottoms, up to 2,295 ft.; southeast Pacific
Length: 27 in.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Dusky Shark Carcharhinus obscurus
Also known as a Black Whaler a Bronze Whaler, the Dusky Shark is a species of shark, reaching weights up upwards of 400 lbs. This species undergoes long seasonal migrations, traveling north during the summer months and south as water temperatures drop.
Habitat: Continental and insular shelves, up to 1,310 ft.; warm-temperate continental waters worldwide
Length: 8 ft. Weight
Diet: Small schooling fish, dogfish, catsharks, skates and rays
Color: Brown or gray above, white underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Dwarf Catshark Asymbolus parvus
The Dwarf Catshark is endemic to the waters off West Australia, at depths between 82 and 1,770 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; up to 1,770 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 15 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Pale brownish body with dark saddles and orange-brown spots
Conservation level: Least Concern
Dwarf Gulper Shark Centrophorus atromarginatus
Often confused with the Gulper Shark, the biology of this rare deepwater species remains virtually unknown. It is typically observed in temperate and tropical waters, but is widespread globally.
Habitat: Upper continental slopes and outer continental shelves, up to 1,490 ft.; temperate and tropical waters worldwide
Length: 2.8 ft.
Diet: Fishes, cephalopods, invertebrates
Color: Olive-gray to sandy back, and lighter underside
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Dwarf Lanternshark Etmopterus perryi
The Dwarf Lanternshark is one of the smallest living sharks, reaching a total length between 6 and 7.5 inches. This species is found off Colombia and Venezuela, at depths between 920 and 1,450 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Upper continental slope, up to 1,450 ft.; North Atlantic Ocean
Length: 6-7.5 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Light and dark markings, with various streaks and spots
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Dwarf Sawshark Pristiophorus sp. D
The Dwarf Sawshark is a very small species, endemic to the western Indian Ocean. Sawsharks, though similar in appearance, are in distinct from sawfish. Sawsharks bear a long snout, edged with large and small teeth, which they utilize to disable their prey.
Habitat: Continental shelf and upper slope, up to 930 and 1,640 ft.; western Indian Ocean
Length: 2 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Uniformly brown above, white below, with dark brown stripes
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Dwarf Sawtail Catshark Galeus schultzi
The Dwarf Sawtail Catshark, one of the smallest sharks, is found only off Luzon in the Philippines. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Continental slopes, up to 1,410 ft.; western central Pacific
Length: 11 in.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Dark saddle blotches and bands
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Eastern Australian Angelshark Squatina sp. A
This angelshark, differing from its western counterpart, is found mainly on sandy and rocky bottoms off of eastern Australia. Motionless by day, the Eastern Australian Angelshark buries itself in sandy substrate in preparation for ambush.
Habitat: Tropical waters; outer continental shelf, up to 1,030 ft.; Indian Ocean
Length: 3-5 ft.
Diet: Small sharks, jacks, cuttlefish, and crustaceans
Color: Yellow-brown to chocolate-brown, with a pattern of small white and dark-edged spots
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Eastern Australian Sawshark Pristiophorus sp. A
The biology of the Eastern Australian Sawshark is almost entirely unknown. It is endemic to southeastern mainland Australia, in depths between 320 and 2,050 feet. Sawsharks, though similar in appearance, are in distinct from sawfish. Sawsharks bear a long snout, edged with large and small teeth, which they utilize to disable their prey.
Habitat: Continental shelf and upper slope, up to 2,050 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 4-4.5 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Gray-brown above back, white below, and darker brownish stripes along the midline
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Eastern Highfin Spurdog Squalus sp. B
The poorly known Eastern Highfin Spurdog is very similar in biology to the Bartail Spurdog and the Western Spurdog. Its range is limited to the waters around Queensland, Australia, at depths up to 1,475 feet.
Habitat: Pelagic; tropical continental shelf, up to 1,475 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 24 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Grayish-brown above, white underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Eastern Longnose Spurdog Squalus sp. F
The Eastern Longnose Spurdog is similar to the Western Longnose Spurdog; however this species exhibits a shorter snout, longer first dorsal fin spine, lower first dorsal fin, as well as a larger caudal fin. Its distribution is limited to the eastern Australia, at depths up to 1,640 feet.
Habitat: Continental slope, up to 1,640 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 2 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Light gray back, paler below
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Epaulette Shark Hemiscyllium ocellatum
The Epaulette Shark stays hidden during the daylight hours, and may be seen "walking" along the bottom with its pectoral fins. The range of the species is limited to the western Pacific, more specifically New Guinea and northern Australia, at depths up to 165 feet.
Habitat: Shallow seabeds and tidal pools, up to 165 ft.; western Pacific
Length: 2.5-3 ft.
Diet: Small invertebrates
Color: Yellow or beige, with dark spots and faint dark bands
Conservation level: Least Concern
False Catshark Pseudotriakis microdon
Also known as an Atlantic False Catshark, the False Catshark is the only member of the genus Pseudotriakis. This species is found nearly globally, in deepwater habitats up 6,200 feet.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental and insular slopes, up to 6,200 ft.; western Atlantic, northeast Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean
Length: 8.5-9.5 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes, elasmobranches, and invertebrates
Color: Uniformly dark brownish-gray
Conservation level: Data Deficient
False Lanternshark Etmopterus pseudosqualiolus
Also known as a False Pygmy Shark, the biology of this deepwater species remains virtually unknown. It is only known from several species and is thought to be endemic to the Norfolk Ridge and Lord Howe Ridge off New Caledonia. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Norfolk Ridge and Howe Ridge, New Caledonia
Length: 15-17 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Dark brown to black above, dark underside
Conservation level: Least Concern
Fat Catshark Apristurus pinguis
The Fat Catshark is a deepwater species, endemic to the eastern China Sea, at depths between 656 and 3,280 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 3,280 ft.; northwest Pacific
Length: 22 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Fatspine Spurdog Squalus sp. D
The biology of the Fatspine Spurdog is virtually unknown. The distribution of this rare species is limited to the eastern Indian Ocean, exclusively western Australia, at depths up to 650 feet.
Habitat: Pelagic, subtropical waters; continental shelf, up to 650 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 1-2 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Light gray above, paler underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Federov's Catshark Apristurus fedorovi
Federov's Catshark is a deepwater species, found only on the Tohoku Slope, Japan, at depths between 320 and 4,920 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Up to 4,920 ft.; northwest Pacific
Length: 2.2 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Filetail Catshark Parmaturus xaniurus
The Filetail Catshark is endemic to the eastern Pacific, from Oregon to the Gulf of California, at depths between 295 and 4,100 feet. This species exhibits an enlarged gill region, which helps it adjust to areas with low dissolved oxygen levels. Additionally, the Filetail maintains a high concentration of squalene in its liver to maintain neutral buoyancy.
Habitat: Outer continental shelf and upper slope, up to 4,100 ft.; eastern Pacific Ocean
Length: 17 in.
Diet: Small fish and invertebrates
Color: Brownish-black above, lighter underside, with dark fins
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Finetooth Shark Carcharhinus isodon
The Finetooth Shark is so named for its very small, fine teeth. This species is commonly observed close inshore, and also in large schools. Its distribution is limited to the western Atlantic, wherein the shark undertakes seasonal migrations in search of warmer temperatures.
Habitat: Subtropical waters, up to 32 ft.; western Atlantic
Length: 6.2 ft.
Diet: Small bony fishes and cephalopods
Color: Dark bluish-gray or bronze above, white underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Flaccid Catshark Apristurus exsanguis
The Flaccid Catshark is a deepwater species, found only around New Zealand. This species is so named for its flaccid, seemingly bloodless body. Catsharks are a relatively unknown group of sharks, often recognized for their slender bodies and flattened snout, as well as cat-like slits for eyes.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 3,940 ft.; southwest Pacific
Length: 2.5-3 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Uniformly pale gray to pale brown
Conservation level: Least Concern
Flapnose Houndshark Scylliogaleus quecketti
The Flapnose Houndshark is an uncommon species, endemic to eastern South Africa. It is believed that only one population exists, comprised of fewer than 10,000 members. This population has been listed as vulnerable in response to heavy fishing demands and habitat degradation.
Habitat: Subtropical surf line to close offshore; western Indian Ocean
Length: 3.2 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans and squids
Color: Gray above, cream underside
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Flathead Catshark Apristurus macrorhynchus
The Flathead Catshark is a deepwater species, endemic to the northwest Pacific Ocean, from southeast Honshu, Japan and Taiwan. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental slopes; northwest Pacific
Length: 2 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Flatnose Catshark Apristurus acanutus
The Flatnose Catshark is a deepwater species, found in the northwest Pacific Ocean off Zhejiang in the South China Sea. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 2,755 ft.; northwest Pacific Ocean
Length: 20 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Florida Smoothhound Mustelus norrisi
Also known as the Narrowfin Smoothhound, this shark is found in the western Atlantic from Florida and the northern Gulf of Mexico to Venezuela, and also in southern Brazil. This species is part of one of the largest shark families, Triakidae. Many of the species within this family are small to moderate-sized nocturnal sharks and are generally seen close to the bottom in a variety of depths.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; continental shelves, on muddy or sandy bottoms, up to 264 ft.; western Atlantic Ocean
Length: 3.6 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes, crabs, shrimp
Color: Gray above, with a dirty white underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Freckled Catshark Scyliorhinus haeckelii
The Freckled Catshark is endemic to the western Atlantic, from western Venezuela, Suriname, Brazil, and Uruguay. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Continental shelf and upper slope, up to 1,320 ft.; western Atlantic Ocean
Length: 13 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Frilled Shark Chlamydoselachus anguineus
Commonly recognized for their eel-like body, the Frill Shark swims at depths of up to 4,200 ft. Because this species is rare to see in such deep water, it is most often observed in the nets of ocean travelers.
Habitat: Extremely cold waters, up to 4,200 ft.; eastern Atlantic, western Pacific Ocean, and eastern Pacific Ocean
Length: 5-6.5 ft.
Diet: Small deep sea fishes
Color: Uniformly brown
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Fringefin Lanternshark Etmopterus schultzi
The biology of the Fringefin Lanternshark, like many other deepwater species, is virtually unknown. It is endemic to the western central Atlantic, in depths between 450 and 3,280 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Upper continental slopes, up to 3,280 ft.; Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea
Length: 11 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Light brown above, dusky-gray underside
Conservation level: Least Concern
Galapagos Bullhead Shark Heterodontus quoyi
A solitary and relatively inactive benthic shark, the Galapagos typically rests motionless on the sea floor or inside small caves. Its range is limited to the waters of Peru and the Galapagos Islands.
Habitat: Coral reefs and rocky areas, up to 100 ft.; tropical eastern Pacific Ocean
Length: 23 in.
Diet: Shellfish, crabs, and small invertebrates
Color: Pale-white with dark brown spots throughout
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Galapagos Shark Carcharhinus galapagensis
The Galapagos Shark was originally discovered in the Galapagos Islands circa 1905. The species faces steep population decline as a result of intense fishing projects, and, as a result, bears a classification of Near Threatened.
Habitat: Oceanic islands, rocky areas and coral reefs, up to 260 ft.; warm and temperate waters worldwide
Length: 10-12 ft.
Diet: Benthic fishes and squid
Color: Dark gray above, black tail edge, and off-white underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Ganges Shark Glyphis gangeticus
The Ganges Shark is a rare species of river shark, endemic to the Ganges River. Its biology is virtually unknown, and the six known river sharks are vulnerable to extinction. Each river shark exhibits physical characteristics, such as small eyes, which suggest that the species is highly adapted to the freshwater habitat.
Habitat: (Freshwater, estuarial) Indo-West Pacific
Length: 3-6.5 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Uniformly gray to brown
Conservation level: Critically Endangered
Gecko Catshark Galeus eastmani
The Gecko Catshark is a poorly known, yet common shark, endemic to the western Pacific. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; western Pacific Ocean
Length: 15-19 in.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Obscure saddle markings on the body, with dark markings on the fins
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Ghost Catshark Apristurus manis
The Ghost Catshark is a deepwater species endemic to the northwest Atlantic, from off Massachusetts and west of Ireland. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental slopes, up to 6,230 ft.; northwest Atlantic Ocean
Length: 2.7 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Least Concern
Ginger Carpetshark Parascyllium sparsimaculatum
The Ginger Carpetshark is recorded from only several specimens, and, as such, is virtually unknown. This shark is endemic to western Australia, at depths between 670 and 800 feet. Carpetsharks are so named for carpet-like patterns and markings, which many members exhibit on their dorsal surfaces.
Habitat: Upper continental slope, up to 800 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 2.5 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Light yellowish-brown with rusty-brown spots and collar-like saddles
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Goblin Shark Mitsukurina owstoni
A blade-like head is perhaps the most distinctive characteristic of the Goblin shark. Little is known about the species, other than its tendency to swim at great depths.
Habitat: Deep waters; up to 4,000 ft.; eastern and western Atlantic Ocean, western Pacific Ocean
Length: 6.5-10 ft.
Diet: Cephalopods, crustaceans, and fish
Color: Mostly pink, bluish on the fins
Conservation level: Least Threatened
Graceful Catshark Proscyllium habereri
The Graceful Catshark is an uncommon and poorly known bottom-dwelling shark found in the western Pacific Ocean, from Japan to Vietnam and northwestern Java.
Habitat: Tropical waters; continental shelves and insular waters, up to 320 ft.; western Pacific Ocean
Length: 2 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Round dark brown spots and indistinct saddles
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Graceful Shark Carcharhinus amblyrhynchoides
The Graceful Shark is an inshore and coastal pelagic species found in the Indo-Pacific Oceans. Despite bearing a Near Threatened conservation status, the biology of this species remains virtually unknown.
Habitat: Continental shelf, up to 165 ft.; Indo-West Pacific Ocean
Length: 5.2 ft.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Gray to gray-brown above, white or cream underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Granular Dogfish Centroscyllium granulatum
The Granular Dogfish is a small, poorly known deepwater dogfish of the family Dalatiidae. The species is endemic to the southwest Atlantic Ocean, more specifically the Falkland Islands, and off Chile in the eastern south Pacific.
Habitat: Up to 1,475 ft.; southwest Atlantic Ocean, eastern south Pacific
Length: 11 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Brownish-black
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Gray Bamboo Shark Chiloscyllium griseum
Despite bearing a Near Threatened classification, the biology of the Gray Bamboo Shark remains virtually unknown. The shark is an inshore species, often observed within estuaries. Its range is limited to the Indo-West Pacific Oceans, at depths up to 260 feet.
Habitat: Tropical waters; sandy and rocky areas, coral lagoons, up to 260 ft.; Indo-West Pacific Oceans
Length: 2.5 ft.
Diet: Invertebrates
Color: Yellow-brown or gray-brown above, cream underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Gray Reef Shark Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos
The Gray Reef Shark, often confused with the Blacktip Reef Shark, is active during the day along the barrier reef. For divers frequenting its range, this species is among the more recognizable members of the Carcharhinus genus. This species may be observed resting motionless on the ocean floor for extended periods of time.
Habitat: Tropical waters; continental and insular shelves, up to 120 ft.; Indo-West Pacific
Length: 2.2 ft.
Diet: Fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Least Concern
Gray Smoothhound Mustelus californicus
The Gray Smoothhound is a common species, found in the eastern Pacific from northern California to the Gulf of California, at depths between 6 and 150 feet. The species is often found in schools of Leopard Sharks.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; continental and insular shelves, bays and rocky shores, up to150 ft.; eastern Pacific Ocean
Length: 4 ft.
Diet: Small fish, crabs, and shrimp
Color: Uniformly gray or grayish-brown above, white underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Great Hammerhead Sphyrna mokarran
The biggest of the hammerhead sharks, this species is distinguished by its large dorsal fin and the straight front edge of its head. The Great Hammerhead uses its sophisticated system of electroreceptors to detect prey on the ocean floor.
Habitat: Pelagic and in coastal waters, up to 260 ft.; tropical and subtropical waters
Length: 13-16 ft.
Diet: Small sharks, large sting rays, squid and bony fishes
Color: Bronze or gray-brown above, white underside
Conservation level: Endangered
Great Lanternshark Etmopterus princeps
The Great Lanternshark is an virtually unknown deepwater species. Its range lies within the northeast and northwest Atlantic, at depths between 980 and 7,575 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Continental shelves, up to 7,575 ft.; northern Atlantic Ocean
Length: 2.5 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Uniformly black
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Great White Shark Carcharodon carcharias
The Great White is among the most recognizable shark species. The highly evolved predator can detect a drop of blood in up to 100 liters of water, and is among a small group of sharks that are known to breach their heads to gaze above the surface.
Habitat: Temperate coastal waters worldwide, often near the surface
Length: 13-16 ft. Weight
Diet: Sea lions, large bony fishes, other sharks, and whale carcasses
Color: Bluish-gray or brownish-gray, with white underside
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Green Lanternshark Etmopterus virens
The biology of the small Green Lanternshark, like many other deepwater species, is virtually unknown. It is found in the western Central Atlantic, in depths between 328 and 3,280 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Upper continental slope, up to 3,280 ft.; western Central Atlantic
Length: 10 in.
Diet: Mostly squid
Color: Dark brown or grayish-brown, black underside
Conservation level: Least Concern
Greenland Shark Somniosus microcephalus
The Greenland Shark lives further north than any other species. This skin of this species contains the toxin trimethylamine oxide, which upon digestion produces effects similar to extreme intoxication. Greenland sharks are immune to each other's toxic flesh, and therefore have been known be cannibalistic.
Habitat: Near surface, or continental shelves and slopes, up to 3,937 ft.; northern Atlantic Ocean and Arctic waters
Length: 22 ft.
Diet: Small sharks, various fish, seals, porpoises, even reindeer
Color: Black, brown, and gray
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Gulf Catshark Asymbolus vincenti
The Gulf Catshark is endemic to the waters around southwestern Australia, at depths up to 650 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Coral beds and rocky areas, up to 650 ft.; exclusively in southwestern Australia
Length: 23 in.
Diet: Small fish and crustaceans
Color: White spots on a dark brown or grayish-brown body, lighter underside
Conservation level: Least Concern
Gulf Smoothhound Mustelus sinusmexicanus
The Gulf Smoothhound is a newly described species of shark, and is therefore virtually unknown. The species is endemic to the tropical western central Atlantic, more specifically the Gulf of Mexico and from Florida to the Bay of Campeche.
Habitat: Tropical waters; offshore continental shelf and uppermost slopes, up to 820 ft.; western Central Atlantic
Length: 2.5-3 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Gulf Wobbegong Orectolobus halei
The Gulf Wobbegong is very similar to the Ornate Wobbegong; and, until recently, the two species were synonymous. Its range is limited to southern and western Australia, at depths up to 328 ft. Wobbegongs are ambush predators, remaining motionless in the reef structure before striking their prey.
Habitat: Temperate waters; rocky reefs and bays, up to 328 ft.; Indian Ocean
Length: 6.5 ft.
Diet: Octopus, crabs, and other sharks
Color: Intricate pattern dominated by nine dark irregular saddles edged with black lines and grayish coloration
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Gulper Shark Centrophorus granulosus
Despite its abundance, the biology of the deepwater Gulper Shark remains virtually unknown. This species is typically observed between 300 and 4,000 feet, in tropical and temperate waters globally.
Habitat: Tropical to temperate waters; outer continental shelves and upper slopes, up to 3937 ft.; northern Atlantic Ocean, western Indian Ocean, western Pacific Ocean
Length: 5 ft.
Diet: Species of hake and lanternfish, squids, and small fishes
Color: Olive-gray to sandy back, and lighter underside
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Gummy Shark Mustelus antarcticus
The Gummy Shark is a small, migratory species found in the waters around southern Australia, from Shark Bay in western Australia to Port Stephens in New South Wales.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; inshore and offshore from intertidal waters, up to 1,200 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 5.5 ft.
Diet: Squid, octopus, and crustaceans
Color: Uniformly gray shark with dispersed white spots
Conservation level: Least Concern
Hardnose Shark Carcharhinus macloti
The Hardnose Shark is found in the Indo-West Pacific oceans within inshore and offshore waters, at depths up to 550 feet.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; inshore and offshore, continental and insular shelves, up to 550 ft.; Indo-West Pacific
Length: 3.6 ft.
Diet: Fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans
Color: Grayish or gray-brown above, underside white
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Harlequin Catshark Ctenacis fehlmanni
The Harlequin Catshark is the only member of the genus Ctenacis, and is known only from the holotype. The species is found in the western Indian Ocean off Somalia, at depths between 230 and 560 feet.
Habitat: Outer continental shelf, up to 560 ft.; western Indian Ocean
Length: 1.5 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Hasselt's Bamboo Shark Chiloscyllium hasseltii
The biology of Hasselt's Bamboo Shark is poorly known. The species is a common bottom dweller, endemic to the Indo-West Pacific, specifically around Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Habitat: Tropical waters, up to 40 ft.; Indo-West Pacific
Length: 1.5-2 ft.
Diet: Invertebrates
Color: Uniformly medium to dark brown
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Hawaiian Lanternshark Etmopterus villosus
The biology of the Hawaiian Lanternshark, like many other deepwater species, is virtually unknown. It is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, in depths between 1,300 and 2,985 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Insular slopes on or near the bottom, up to 2,985 ft.; eastern Central Pacific
Length: 18 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Dark brown or black above, with narrow black markings along the fins
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Highfin Dogfish Centroscyllium excelsum
The biology of the Highfin Dogfish remains virtually unknown. It is found only within the Emperor Seamount Chain, in the central North Pacific Ocean, between 2,600 and 4,000 feet.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 4,000 ft.; northwest Pacific Ocean
Length: 2 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes and invertebrates
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Hoary Catshark Apristurus canutus
The Hoary Catshark is a deepwater species, endemic to the western central Atlantic from the Leeward Islands off Antigua and Anguilla. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; insular slopes, up to 3,280 ft.; western central Atlantic Ocean
Length: 18 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Uniformly dark gray with blackish fin margins
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Hooded Carpetshark Hemiscyllium strahani
Despite bearing a Vulnerable conservation status, the biology of the Hooded Carpetshark remains virtually unknown. It is a nocturnal feeder, resting during the daylight hours in reef crevices. Its distribution is limited to the western Central Pacific, more specifically, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
Habitat: Tropical waters; coral reefs, up to 43 ft.; western Central Pacific
Length: 2.5-3 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Dark, finely spotted body
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Hooktooth Dogfish Aculeola nigra
Despite being a common dogfish, the biology of this small dogfish remains virtually unknown. The Hooktooth is the only member of the genus Aculeola, and its range lies within the eastern south Pacific from Peru to central Chile.
Habitat: Continental shelf and upper slope, up to 560 m.; eastern south Pacific
Length: 23 in.
Diet: Bony fishes and invertebrates
Color: Uniformly black
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Hooktooth Shark Chaenogaleus macrostoma
The common Hooktooth Shark is the only member of the genus Chaenogaleus. The species is found in the Indo-West Pacific Ocean, including the Persian Gulf, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, and Java and Sulawesi in Indonesia.
Habitat: Tropical waters; inshore and offshore, continental and insular shelves, up to 190 ft.; Indo-West Pacific
Length: 3.2 ft.
Diet: Small fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans
Color: Bronzy-gray above, white underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Horn Shark Heterodontus francisci
This solitary and nocturnal species often uses its pectoral fins to "walk" along the ocean floor. During the daytime, the Horn Shark is mostly inactive, resting in rock crevices.
Habitat: Sea floor, among rocks at depths up to 500 ft; eastern Pacific
Length: 2.5-3 ft.
Diet: Sea urchins, bivalves, and crabs
Color: Gray or fawn, with small black spots throughout
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Humpback Catshark Apristurus gibbosus
The Humpback Catshark is a deepwater species, found in the northwest Pacific Ocean off Zhejiang in the South China Sea. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental and insular slopes, 2,995 ft.; northwest Pacific
Length: 21 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Humpback Smoothhound Mustelus whitneyi
The Humpback Smoothhound is an offshore bottom-dwelling shark found in the tropical southeast Pacific from Peru to southern Chile, at depths between 50 and 690 feet.
Habitat: Tropical waters; continental shelves, up to 690 ft.; southeast Pacific
Length: 2.5-3 ft.
Diet: Crabs, mantis shrimps, and small bony fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Iceland Catshark Apristurus laurussonii
The Iceland Catshark is a deepwater species endemic to the western Atlantic and eastern Atlantic oceans. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; upper continental slopes, muddy bottoms, up to 4,796 ft.; eastern and western Atlantic Ocean
Length: 2.2 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Indian Swellshark Cephaloscyllium silasi
The biology of the Indian Swellshark is virtually unknown. Its distribution is limited to the western Indian Ocean from Quilon, India and Sauqira Bay, Oman, at depths up to 985 feet. Swellsharks are so named for their ability to ingest large amounts of water, swelling their bodies to twice their normal size when threatened by a predator.
Habitat: Uppermost continental slope, up to 985 ft.; western Indian Ocean
Length: 14 in.
Diet: Small fishes, squid, and crustaceans
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark Hemiscyllium freycineti
Despite bearing a Near Threatened conservation status, the biology of the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark remains virtually unknown. The species stays hidden during the daylight hours, and may be seen "walking" along the bottom with its pectoral fins.
Habitat: Tropical waters; up to 165 ft.; western central Pacific Ocean
Length: 28 in.
Diet: Invertebrates and bony fish
Color: Pale body with a pattern of hexagonal rust-brown spots
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Irrawaddy River Shark Glyphis siamensis
The Speartooth Shark is a rare species of river shark, endemic to the eastern Indian Ocean off the coast of Burma. Its biology is virtually unknown, and the six known river sharks are vulnerable to extinction. Each river shark exhibits physical characteristics, such as small eyes, which suggest that the species is highly adapted to the freshwater habitat.
Habitat: (Freshwater) eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 6.5-8.5 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Uniformly gray
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Izak Catshark Holohalaelurus regani
The Izak Catshark is endemic to the waters around southern Namibia to southern Mozambique, as well as Kenya and Somalia. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Tropical, subtropical waters; outer continental shelf and upper slope, on or near the bottom, up to 3,525 ft.; southeast Atlantic Ocean, western Indian Ocean
Length: 27 in.
Diet: Pelagic bony fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Yellowish body with dark brown spots, white underside with small black pores
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Izu Catshark Scyliorhinus tokubee
The Izu Catshark is a poorly known species, found only around Japan, at depths up to 330 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Temperate waters; up to 330 ft.; northwest Pacific
Length: 16 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Japanese Angelshark Squatina japonica
A sedentary and nocturnal species, the Japanese Angelshark, like other angelsharks, half-buries itself in the ocean substrate and waits motionless in preparation for ambush.
Habitat: Sandy bottoms at the foot of rocks and reefs; Tropical Pacific Ocean
Length: 8 ft.
Diet: Fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Rusty brown above, small square-shaped spots throughout
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Japanese Bullhead Shark Heterodontus japonicus
Because of its markings and large eye ridges, this species is often found in public aquariums. Like other bullhead sharks, it teases out sea urchins, mollusks, and crustaceans out of rock crevices to feed on.
Habitat: Temperate waters; rocky areas and kelp forests up to 120 ft.; Pacific Ocean
Length: 4 ft. Weight
Diet: Bony fishes, mollusks, and crustaceans
Color: Broad blackish bands and saddle markings
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Japanese Catshark Apristurus japonicus
The Japanese Catshark is a deepwater species, endemic to the northwest Pacific from off Chiba Prefecture, Honshu, Japan. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; northwest Pacific
Length: 2-2.3 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Japanese Roughshark Oxynotus japonicus
The Japanese Roughshark is a rare deepwater species, known from only several specimens. Its range is limited to the western Pacific Ocean, at depths up to 985 feet.
Habitat: Continental shelves and uppermost slopes, up to 985 ft.; western Pacific Ocean
Length: 2.5-3 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Japanese Sawshark Pristiophorus japonicus
The Japanese Sawshark is found in the northwest Pacific Ocean around Japan, Korea, and northern China, in depths up to 1,640 feet. Sawsharks, though similar in appearance, are in distinct from sawfish. Sawsharks bear a long snout, edged with large and small teeth, which they utilize to disable their prey.
Habitat: Continental shelves and upper slopes on or near the bottom, also coastal waters on sandy bottoms, up to 1,640 ft.; northwest Pacific Ocean
Length: 4.5 ft.
Diet: Small bottom organisms
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Japanese Spurdog Squalus japonicus
The biology of the Japanese Spurdog remains virtually unknown. Its range is limited to the western Pacific Ocean, at depths between 490 to 985 feet.
Habitat: Continental shelves and uppermost slopes, up to 985 ft.; western Pacific Ocean
Length: 2.5-3 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Japanese Topeshark Hemitriakis japanica
The Japanese Topeshark is found in the northwest Pacific from China, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan, at depths up to 330 feet. This species is part of one of the largest shark families, Triakidae. Many of the species within this family are small to moderate-sized nocturnal sharks and are generally seen close to the bottom in a variety of depths.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; close inshore and offshore, up to 330 ft.; northwest Pacific Ocean
Length: 3.6 ft.
Diet: Small fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Japanese Velvet Dogfish Scymnodon ichiharai
The Japanese Velvet Dogfish is a rare deepwater sleeper shark, found in the northwest Pacific from Suruga Bay and in the waters of Japan, at depths between 1,640 and 2,624 feet.
Habitat: Up to 2,624 ft.; northwest Pacific Ocean
Length: Not specified
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Japanese Wobbegong Orectolobus japonicus
The biology of the Japanese Wobbegong is virtually unknown. Its range is limited to the warm waters of the western Pacific, at depths up to 130 feet. Wobbegongs are ambush predators, remaining motionless in the reef structure before striking their prey.
Habitat: Coral and rocky reefs in channels or on sand flats, up to 130 ft.; western Pacific
Length: 3.2 ft.
Diet: Fish and bottom invertebrates
Color: Intricate pattern dominated by dark saddles marked and broad dark lines
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Kitefin Shark Dalatias licha
Also known as a Seal Shark or Black Shark, the Kitefin is the only species in the genus Dalatias. It can be found swimming alone or in small schools between 165 to 5,900 feet.
Habitat: Tropical and warm-temperate waters; continental shelf and upper slope, up to 5,900 ft.; Atlantic Ocean, western Mediterranean, western Indian Ocean, and western Pacific
Length: 3-5.5 ft.
Diet: Bony fish, other sharks, cephalopods, and crustaceans
Color: Violet brown, grayish-black, or cinnamon
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Knifetooth Dogfish Scymnodon ringens
The biology of the Knifetooth Dogfish is virtually unknown. Its distribution ranges from the eastern Atlantic, from Scotland to Spain, Portugal, and Senegal, as well as the southwest Pacific from New Zealand, at depths between 650 and 5,250 feet.
Habitat: Continental slopes, usually mesopelagic, up to 5,250 ft.; eastern Atlantic, southwest Pacific
Length: 3.5 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Black body
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Largenose Catshark Apristurus nasutus
The Largenose Catshark is a deepwater species, found in the eastern Pacific from the Gulf of Panama, Ecuador, and central Chile. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; upper continental slopes, up to 3,035 ft.; eastern Pacific Ocean
Length: 2.2 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Largespine Velvet Dogfish Centroscymnus macracanthus
The Largespine Velvet Dogfish is rare, and like most deepwater species, its biology remains virtually unknown. Its range is limited to the southeast and the southwest Pacific, at depths between 2,130 and 3,015 feet.
Habitat: Lower continental slopes, up to 3,015 ft.; southeast Pacific Ocean, southwest Pacific Ocean
Length: 26 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Dark brown or blackish
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Largetooth Cookiecutter Shark Isistius plutodus
This species is characterized by its cigar shaped body and well-developed bottom teeth, which are proportionately larger than any living shark. The Largetooth uses these teeth to tear perfectly circular chunks of flesh from larger animals such as dolphins, or even seals.
Habitat: Pelagic, subtropical waters; up to 6,440 m.; western Atlantic Ocean, northwest Pacific Ocean
Length: 16 in.
Diet: Large fish such as dolphins and tuna, even seals
Color: Dark brown with a lighter underside
Conservation level: Least Concern
Leafscale Gulper Shark Centrophorus squamosus
Despite bearing a Vulnerable conservation level, the Leafscale gulper shark is a rare and virtually unknown deepwater species. Living and eating in depths between 750 and 7,800 feet, its range lies in the eastern Atlantic and western Indian Oceans.
Habitat: Continental slopes, up to 7,800 ft.; eastern Atlantic, western Indian Ocean
Length: 5 ft.
Diet: Fish and cephalopods
Color: Dark gray, chocolate brown, or green
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Lemon Shark Negaprion brevirostris
Common in shallow waters, the Lemon Shark is able to rest motionless on the ocean without suffocating. To compensate for its poor eyesight, this bottom dweller exhibits highly effective magnetic sensors to find prey.
Habitat: Subtropical and tropical shallow waters; up to 300 ft.; Tropical Atlantic Ocean, eastern Pacific Ocean
Length: 6.5-10 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans, mollusks, and fish
Color: Yellowish-brown above, white underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Leopard Catshark Poroderma pantherinum
The Leopard Catshark is distinguished by its attractive color patterns, which are virtually identical to that of a leopard. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Temperate waters; on or near the bottom, preferring rocky reefs, up to 835 ft.; southeast Atlantic
Length: 29 in.
Diet: Small bony fish, crustaceans, octopus, and polychaete worms
Color: Gray to white above with patterned, leopard-shaped rosettes; white underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Leopard Shark Triakis semifasciata
The Leopard Shark gets its name from the ability to appear camouflaged on or near the ground. The shark usually remains in the shallow waters of reef sites, kelp beds, and sandy flats, entering as the tide rises and departing as the tide retreats.
Habitat: Temperate waters inshore and offshore; Pacific coast from Oregon, USA, to Baja California
Length: 6 ft. Weight
Diet: Small fish, fish eggs, shrimp, crabs, and clams
Color: White, with dark spots above and gray on the underside
Conservation level: Lower Risk
Lined Catshark Halaelurus lineatus
The Lined Catshark is endemic to the western Indian Ocean, from Beira, Mozambique to East London, South Africa. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Continental shelf and uppermost slope, over soft bottoms, up to 950 ft.; western Indian Ocean
Length: 22 in.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Pale brown with dark brown stripes and dusky saddles; cream underside
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Lined Lanternshark Etmopterus bullisi
The biology of the Lined Lanternshark is poorly known. This rare deepwater species is found in the western Atlantic at depths between 900 to 2,750 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Continental slopes, up to 2,750 ft.; western Atlantic
Length: 10 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Dark gray back, black underside
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Little Gulper Shark Centrophorus cf. uyato
The Little Gulper Shark is a rare and virtually unknown deepwater species, living and eating in depths up to 4,500 feet.
Habitat: Continental shelf and upper-middle continental slope, up to 4,500 ft.; Mediterranean, Black Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, southwest Pacific Ocean
Length: 2.5-3.2 ft.
Diet: Bony fish and cephalopods
Color: Brownish-gray back, light gray underside
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Little Sleeper Shark Somniosus rostratus
The Little Sleeper Shark is found in the northeast Atlantic, western Mediterranean, and western Pacific in proximity to New Zealand, at depths between 650 and 3,280 feet.
Habitat: Outer continental shelves and upper slopes, up to 3,280 ft.; northeast Atlantic Ocean, western Mediterranean, western Pacific Ocean
Length: 4.6 ft.
Diet: Bottom fishes and invertebrates
Color: Uniformly gray or brown
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Lizard Catshark Schroederichthys saurisqualus
The Lizard Catshark is found off southern Brazil, at depths of between 400 and 1,430 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; deep-reef habitat on the continental slope, up to 1,430 ft.; southwest Atlantic
Length: 22 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Lollipop Catshark Cephalurus cephalus
The poorly known Lollipop Shark is so named for its huge, lollipop-shaped head. The species is the only member of the genus Cephalurus, found in the eastern central Pacific Ocean off southern Baja California, Mexico and the Gulf of California, at depths up to 3,050 feet.
Habitat: Upper continental slope and outermost shelf, up to 3,050 ft.; eastern central Pacific Ocean
Length: 11 in.
Diet: Invertebrates
Color: Uniformly light to dark brown, with a conspicuous color pattern
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Longfin Catshark Apristurus herklotsi
The Longfin Catshark is a deepwater species, found in the western Pacific from Japan, the Philippines, East and South China Seas, and the Kyushu-Palau Ridge. Catsharks are a relatively unknown group of sharks, often recognized for their slender bodies and flattened snout, as well as cat-like slits for eyes.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 2,837 ft.; western Pacific Ocean
Length: 18 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Uniformly brown
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Longfin Mako Isurus paucus
The Longfin Mako is among the quickest of sharks. Its speed has been recorded at over 60 mph in short bursts, and they have been observed exploding from the surface up to 20 feet in the air. As in other Lamnids, the Longfin Mako is equipped with an endothermic system, which allows the shark to maintain its temperature above that of the surrounding seawater.
Habitat: Pelagic, temperate and tropical seas, up to 720 ft.; Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and western north and eastern Atlantic Ocean
Length: 12 ft.
Diet: Pelagic cephalopods
Color: Dark bluish-black and white underside
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Longfin Sawtail Catshark Galeus cadenati
The Longfin Sawtail Catshark is a rare species found in the western central Atlantic, from Panama and Colombia, Venezuela. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 1,440 ft.; western Central Atlantic
Length: Not specified
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Longhead Catshark Apristurus longicephalus
The Longhead Catshark is endemic to the Indo-West Pacific from Seychelles, Japan, East China Sea, Philippines, Australia, New Caledonia, and Mozambique. The Longhead is also the first cartilaginous fish species on record bearing rudimentary hermaphroditism.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 2,952 ft.; Indo-West Pacific Ocean
Length: 23 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Longnose Catshark Apristurus kampae
The Longnose Catshark is a deepwater species endemic to the eastern central Pacific, from central and southern California to the Gulf of California, at depths up to 6,200 feet. Catsharks are a relatively unknown group of sharks, often recognized for their slender bodies and flattened snout, as well as cat-like slits for eyes.
Habitat: Deepwater; upper continental slope, up to 6,200 ft.; eastern Central Pacific
Length: 22 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Longnose Houndshark Iago garricki
The biology of the Longnose Houndshark is virtually unknown. Its distribution is limited to the western Pacific, off northern Australia and Vanuatu, at depths between 250 and 1,560 feet.
Habitat: Tropical waters; uppermost insular slopes, up to 1,560 ft.; western Pacific Ocean
Length: 2.5 ft.
Diet: Cephalopods
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Least Concern
Longnose Pygmy Shark Heteroscymnoides marleyi
The biology of the Longnose Pygmy Shark remains virtually unknown, as only several holotype species have been pulled from the waters for examination.
Habitat: Tropical waters; up to 1,650 ft.; southeast Atlantic Ocean, western Indian Ocean
Length: 11 in.
Diet: Pelagic fish and invertebrates
Color: Dark brown, with light-edged fins
Conservation level: Least Concern
Longnose Sawshark Pristiophorus cirratus
Long barbels and the position of its gill slits distinguish this species from other sawsharks. Sawsharks, though similar in appearance, are in distinct from sawfish. Sawsharks bear a long snout, edged with large and small teeth, which they utilize to disable their prey.
Habitat: Temperate waters along the Australian coast
Length: 4-5 ft. Weight
Diet: Small fishes and crustaceans
Color: Beige or yellowish, with darker patters
Conservation level: Least Threatened
Longnose Sawtail Catshark Galeus longirostris
The Longnose Sawtail Catshark is found only within the northwest Pacific islands of Amami-oshima, Ogasawara and Izu. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; northwest Pacific
Length: 31 in.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Longnose Spurdog Squalus blainville
The biology of the Longnose Spurdog is virtually unknown. Its range is widespread, at depths between 50 and 2,625 feet.
Habitat: Subtropical waters over continental shelves and upper slopes, at depths of between 2,625 ft.; worldwide
Length: 3.2 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes, crabs, lobsters, and octopus
Color: Uniformly gray
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Longnose Velvet Dogfish Centroscymnus crepidater
Also known as a Golden Dogfish, this species of dogfish is sporadically dispersed in subtropical waters globally, at depths between 750 and 4,920 feet.
Habitat: Insular slopes, up to 4,920 ft.; eastern Atlantic and Indo-Pacific
Length: 4 ft.
Diet: Fish and cephalopods
Color: Black or blackish brown
Conservation level: Least Concern
Longsnout Dogfish Deania quadrispinosum
The Longsnout Dogfish is an virtually unknown deepwater dogfish. Its range lies within the Atlantic, Indian, and southern Pacific oceans, living between 500 and 2,400 feet.
Habitat: Outer continental shelves and upper slopes, up to 2,400 ft.; Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, southern Pacific Ocean
Length: 3.5 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes
Color: Dark brown, gray, or black
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Longtailed Thresher Shark Alopias vulpinus
The Longtailed Thresher Shark is known to be highly migratory, and is found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide. Thresher Sharks are recognized by the long upper lobe of their caudal fin, which may sometimes as long as the body. They often utilize these long tails to stun their prey before feeding.
Habitat: Continental shelf, coastal bays and near shore waters, up to 1,800 ft.; temperate and tropical waters worldwide
Length: 10-25 ft. Weight
Diet: Bony fishes
Color: Dark brown, gray, or black above, with a white underside and sporadic spots
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Lowfin Gulper Shark Centrophorus lusitanicus
The Lowfin Gulper shark is a rare and virtually unknown deepwater species, living and eating in depths between 950-4,500 feet. Its range lies between the eastern Atlantic, the western Indian Ocean, and the western Central Pacific.
Habitat: Outer continental shelves and upper slopes, up to 4,500 ft.; eastern Atlantic Ocean, western Indian Ocean, western central Pacific Ocean
Length: 5 ft.
Diet: Other sharks, bony fish, crabs, and lobsters
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Lowfin Houndshark Iago sp. A
The biology of the Lowfin Houndshark is virtually unknown. Its distribution is limited to the Indian Ocean from the Gulf of Aden and from the southeast coast of India. This species is part of one of the largest shark families, Triakidae. Many of the species within this family are small to moderate-sized nocturnal sharks and are generally seen close to the bottom in a variety of depths.
Habitat: Outer continental shelf and upper slope, also semipelagic, up to 600 ft., Indian Ocean
Length: 16 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Mandarin Dogfish Cirrhigaleus barbifer
The biology of the Mandarin Dogfish remains virtually unknown. The species is distinguished by its mandarin-like nasal barbels, which are thought to contain enhanced sensory capacities for locating prey. Its range is limited to the western Pacific Ocean, at depths between 480 and 2,100 feet.
Habitat: Upper continental and insular slopes, up to 2,100 ft.; western Pacific Ocean.
Length: 33-42 in.
Diet: Bottom fishes and invertebrates
Color: Grayish-brown back, whitish underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
McMillan's Catshark Parmaturus macmillani
McMillan's cat shark is a small, rare and poorly known deepwater shark. Its distribution is limited to Madagascar and New Zealand. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; lower continental slope; up to 1,500 m.; southwest Indian Ocean
Length: 17 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Megamouth Shark Megachasma pelagios
A mysterious shark, the Megamouth swims with its enormous luminescent mouth open, in very deep waters, to attract plankton and jellyfish. It is a rare species and only a small number have been seen or caught on film.
Habitat: Deep waters beyond the continental shelf, up to 3,600 ft.; all tropical seas
Length: 17 ft.
Diet: Plankton and jellyfish
Color: Black, with silvery white on the upper lip
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Mexican Horn Shark Heterodontus mexicanus
The small Mexican Horn Shark often rifles through rock crevices to capture crabs and bony fishes of the seabed.
Habitat: Continental shelve, sandy and rocky beds, up to 165 ft.; eastern Pacific Ocean
Length: 27 in.
Diet: Bony fishes and crabs
Color: Uniformly brown
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Milk Shark Rhizoprionodon acutus
The Milk Shark is the most widespread species in its genus. Its distribution ranges from the Indo-West Pacific to the eastern Atlantic Ocean. The Milk Shark has also been recorded to enter freshwater from Cambodia as far upstream as the Great Lake.
Habitat: Tropical waters; continental shelves, sandy beaches, rarely estuaries and freshwater, up to 655 ft.; Indo-West Pacific, eastern Atlantic Ocean
Length: 5.5 ft.
Diet: Small pelagic and benthic bony fishes, cephalopods, invertebrates
Color: Gray or gray-brown above, white below
Conservation level: Least Concern
Mosaic Gulper Shark Centrophorus tesselatus
The Mosaic Gulper Shark is a rare and virtually unknown deepwater species, living and eating in depths between 850 and 2,400 feet.
Habitat: Insular slopes, up to 2,400 ft.; western central Atlantic, western Indian, northwest, eastern Central and southwest Pacific oceans
Length: 3.5 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Mouse Catshark Galeus murinus
The Mouse Catshark is found from Iceland and the Faroe Islands, at depths between 1,560 and 3,940 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental slopes, up to 3,940 ft.; northeast Atlantic
Length: 2 ft.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Mud Catshark Halaelurus lutarius
The Mud Catshark is endemic to the western Indian Ocean from Mozambique and Somalia, at depths between 1,115 and 2,510 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Continental slope above muddy substrates, up to 2,510 ft.; western Indian Ocean
Length: 13 in.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Dull gray-brown, paler underside, with a several poorly defined dorsal saddles
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Narrowmouthed Catshark Schroederichthys bivius
The Narrowmouthed Catshark is endemic to central Chile around the Straits of Magellan to Argentina. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; inshore to offshore, on continental shelf, up to 260 ft.; southeast Pacific Ocean, southwest Atlantic Ocean
Length: 27 in.
Diet: Small bony fishes and cephalopods
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Narrownose Smoothhound Mustelus schmitti
Due to intensive fishing in its entire area of distribution, including its nursery grounds, the Narrownose has been classified as Endangered. This species is endemic to the southwest Atlantic, more specifically southern Brazil to northern Argentina.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; continental shelves, up to 640 ft.; southwest Atlantic Ocean
Length: 2.4 ft.
Diet: Crabs, crustaceans, and small fishes
Color: Gray above, with small white spots
Conservation level: Endangered
Narrowtail Catshark Schroederichthys maculatus
The Narrowtail Catshark is endemic to the waters around Honduras and Nicaragua, at depths between 620 and 1,345 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Continental outer shelf and upper slope, up to 1,345 ft.; western Central Atlantic
Length: 12 in.
Diet: Small bony fishes and cephalopods
Color: Not specific
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Natal Shyshark Haploblepharus kistnasamyi
The Natal Shyshark is a poorly known species, endemic to South Africa from Cape Agulhas to Natal. When pulled from the water, these sharks are said to cover their eyes with their tail, earning them a "shy" reputation.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; inshore waters of the continental shelf, up to western Indian Ocean
Length: 19 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Cream body with dark brown saddles and irregular white spots, and white underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Necklace Carpetshark Parascyllium variolatum
The Necklace Carpetshark is a virtually unknown species endemic to Australia, at depths up to 540 feet. Carpetsharks are so named for carpet-like patterns and markings, which many members exhibit on their dorsal surfaces.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; continental shelves, sandy bottoms and rocky reefs, up to 540 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 2.5-3 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Black frill, speckled with white spots and black streaks on pectoral fins
Conservation level: Least Concern
Needle Dogfish Centrophorus acus
The biology of this deepwater species remains virtually unknown, as only nominal amount of species have been collected for this purpose. Its range includes the western Pacific and western north Atlantic oceans, below a depth of 650 feet.
Habitat: Outer continental shelves and slopes near the bottom, up to 3,200 ft.; northwestern Pacific Ocean, northwestern Atlantic Ocean
Length: 5 ft.
Diet: Nektonic fish and sea plants
Color: Light to dark grey or brown, often lighter below
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Nervous Shark Carcharhinus cautus
The Nervous Shark is a poorly known reef species found in the western Pacific, more specifically southern New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and northern Australia.
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical waters; continental and insular shelves; western Pacific
Length: 4.5-5 ft.
Diet: Small fishes and crabs
Color: Gray or light brown above, white underside
Conservation level: Data Deficient
New Caledonia Catshark Aulohalaelurus kanakorum
The New Caledonia Catshark is known only from a single specimen collected off southwestern New Caledonia in the western central Pacific Ocean. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Tropical waters; coral reefs, up to 160 ft.; western central Pacific Ocean
Length: 2.5 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Vulnerable
New Guinea River Shark Glyphis sp. C
The New Guinea River Shark is a rare species of shark, endemic to the waters of Australia and Papau New Guinea. Its biology is virtually unknown, and the six known river sharks are vulnerable to extinction. Each river shark exhibits physical characteristics, such as small eyes, which suggest that the species is highly adapted to the freshwater habitat.
Habitat: (Freshwater) Adelaide River, northern Territory, Australia; South Alligator River, Papua New Guinea
Length: 6.5 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Uniformly gray
Conservation level: Critically Endangered
New Zealand Catshark Halaelurus dawsoni
The New Zealand Catshark, as its name suggests, is endemic to New Zealand, at depths up to 3,940 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Outer continental shelf and upper slope, up to 3,940 ft.; southwest Pacific Ocean
Length: 17 in.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Dark brown above with several widely spaced pale spots, and white underside
Conservation level: Data Deficient
New Zealand Lanternshark Etmopterus baxteri
Also known as Baxter's Dogfish, this species is a moderately common deepwater shark. This species is found only around New Zealand, between 2,800 and 4,680 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Upper and middle continental slope, up to 4,680 ft.; southwest Pacific
Length: 2.5 ft.
Diet: Fishes, squids, and crustaceans
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Least Concern
Night Shark Carcharhinus signatus
The Night Shark is so named for its frequent nighttime capture. This species is known to make vertical migrations from 1,970 feet during the day, to 610 feet at night.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; outer continental and insular shelves, up to 1,970 ft.; Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Gulf of Mexico and southern Brazil
Length: 6.5-9 ft.
Diet: Squids, small fishes, and shrimp
Color: Gray-brown above, white underside
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Northern Sawtail Catshark Galeus sp. B
The Northern Sawtail Catshark is an undescribed species found only around northeast Australia off the coast of Queensland. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Continental slopes, up to 420 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 16 in.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Numerous pale-edged dark saddle markings on the body, pale underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Northern Wobbegong Orectolobus wardi
The Northern Wobbegong is found in the western Pacific Ocean around Australia, in shallow waters. Wobbegongs are ambush predators, remaining motionless in the reef structure before striking their prey.
Habitat: Inshore continental waters; rocky areas and coral reefs, up to 9 ft.; western Pacific Ocean
Length: 2 ft.
Diet: Bottom invertebrates and fishes
Color: Dark rounded saddles with light outlines, and several dark spots
Conservation level: Least Concern
Nurse Shark Ginglymostoma cirratum
Nurse sharks are nocturnal animals, spending the day motionless and sheltered by ledges or within reef crevices. The species often returns to a specific resting area after a night of hunting and can be found in groups of up to 40.
Habitat: In and around coral; western and eastern Atlantic Ocean, eastern Pacific Ocean
Length: 7.5-10 ft.
Diet: Cephalopods, crustaceans, echinoderms, and sleeping fish
Color: Yellowish-gray or beige above, white underside
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Nursehound Scyliorhinus stellaris
The Nursehound is endemic to the northeast Atlantic from the Shetlands, southern Scandinavia and the British Isles to Morocco, including the Mediterranean, at depths up to 1,310 feet.
Habitat: Continental shelf, over rocky areas and algal-covered bottoms, up to 1,310 ft.; northeast Atlantic Ocean
Length: 5.5 ft.
Diet: Small fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Numerous black spots on a pale background
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Oceanic Whitetip Shark Carcharhinus longimanus
Easily recognized by its tapered body, this aggressive but deceptively slow-moving shark may exhibit dominating behavior with other open sea sharks. Along with the Blue Shark, the Oceanic Whitetip is among the most commonly seen of the pelagic species.
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical waters, up to 500 ft.; worldwide
Length: 13 ft.
Diet: Pelagic cephalopods, bony fish, and carcasses of marine animals
Color: Bluish or gray above, white underside and white-tipped fins
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Ocelate Topeshark Hemitriakis sp. A
The Ocelate Topeshark is a poorly known species, found only near Dumaguete City, Negros Island, in the Philippines. This species is known only from a litter of near-term pups, which exhibited bright patterns with dark spots, as well as dark bars and saddles.
Habitat: Tropical waters; western central Pacific Ocean
Length: Not specified
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Least Concern
Ocellated Angelshark Squatina tergocellatoides
The Ocellated Angelshark is endemic to an area from the Taiwan Straights to northern Malaysia. The name "angelshark" is attributed to the characteristic flat body, and wing-like fins. During the daylight hours, the angelshark lies half-buried in the ocean substrate, remaining motionless before ambushing unsuspecting prey.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; western Pacific
Length: 2 ft.
Diet: Fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Yellowish-brown with scattered white round spots; white underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Oman Bullhead Horn Shark Heterodontus omanensis
The Oman Bullhead Shark, a member of the genus Heterodontus, differs from its eight sister species in its exhibition of four dark saddles distributed along its body.
Habitat: Pelagic, tropical waters; up to 230 ft.; western Indian Ocean
Length: 1.5-2 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes, mollusks, and crustaceans
Color: Dark saddles distributed throughout
Conservation level: Least Concern
Onefin Catshark Pentanchus profundicolus
The Onefin Catshark is the only member of the genus Pentanchus, and also the only shark with 5 pairs of gill slits and one dorsal fin. The only known specimen, and the holotype, was found in the western central Pacific Ocean from the Mindanao Sea in the Philippines.
Habitat: Deepwater; insular slopes; western Central Pacific
Length: 20 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Uniformly dark brown
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Ornate Angelshark Squatina tergocellata
Relatively little is known about this species. The name "angelshark" is attributed to the characteristic flat body, and wing-like fins. During the daylight hours, the angelshark lies half-buried in the ocean substrate, remaining motionless before ambushing unsuspecting prey.
Habitat: Sandy or rocky areas in continental shelves and upper slopes, up to 980 ft.; Indian Ocean
Length: 3.2 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes and squid
Color: Pale yellowish-brown above, gray to white spots throughout
Conservation level: Least Concern
Ornate Dogfish Centroscyllium ornatum
The biology of the deepwater Ornate Dogfish remains virtually unknown. Its range lies within the Indian Ocean, in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, at depths of between 1,710 to 4,140 feet.
Habitat: Upper continental slopes, up to 4,140 ft.; Indian Ocean
Length: 11-18 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Ornate Wobbegong Orectolobus ornatus
The Ornate Wobbegong is found in the western Pacific Ocean around eastern Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. Wobbegongs are ambush predators, remaining motionless in the reef structure before striking their prey.
Habitat: Inshore continental waters; rocky areas and coral reefs, up to 320 ft.; western Pacific Ocean
Length: 6.5-8 ft.
Diet: Fish, mollusks, and crustaceans
Color: Large black patches on a greenish or yellowish body, with lighter colored spots throughout
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Pacific Angelshark Squatina californica
Also known as a Monk Shark or a Sand Devil, the Pacific Angelshark has a body type that resembles that of a stingray. During the daylight hours, it buries itself in the sandy ocean floor, waiting to attack its prey.
Habitat: Subtropical waters of the eastern Pacific
Length: 5 ft.
Diet: Fish and squids
Color: Pale beige with dense brown spots
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Pacific Sharpnose Shark Rhizoprionodon longurio
The Pacific Sharpnose Shark is a poorly known requiem shark of the family Carcharhinidae. The species is endemic to the subtropical waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean, more specifically southern California to Peru, at depths up to 90 feet.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; continental shelves, more commonly on the littoral zone, up to 90 ft.; eastern Pacific
Length: 3-3.5 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Pacific Sleeper Shark Somniosus pacificus
This Pacific Sleeper Shark, along with the Sperm Whale, feeds on giant squid and colossal squid, based upon research concluded from stomach contents. This skin of this species also contains the toxin trimethylamine oxide, which upon digestion would produce effects similar to drunkenness.
Habitat: Continental shelves and slopes, up to 6,560 ft.; temperate waters globally
Length: 14-23 ft.
Diet: Fishes, octopuses, squids, crabs and tritons, seals, and carrion
Color: Uniformly grayish-pink, with bluish black fins
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Pale Catshark Apristurus sibogae
The Pale Catshark is a rare species, known only from a holotype caught from between Borneo and Sulawesi, at a depth of 2,150 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental shelf, up to 2,150 ft.; western central Pacific
Length: ~8 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Pale Spotted Catshark Asymbolus pallidus
The Pale Spotted Catshark is endemic to the waters off Queensland, Australia at depths between 740 and 1,310 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 1,310 ft.; western Pacific
Length: 17 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Pale covered with widely spaced, dark brown spots
Conservation level: Least Concern
Panama Ghost Catshark Apristurus stenseni
The Panama Ghost Catshark is a deepwater species endemic to the eastern central Pacific, exclusively Panama. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 3,200 ft.; eastern Central Pacific
Length: ~9 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Papuan Epaulette Shark Hemiscyllium hallstromi
Despite bearing a Vulnerable conservation status, the biology of the Papuan Epaulette Shark is poorly known. Its range is limited to the western central Pacific, more specifically off Indonesia and Papau New Guinea.
Habitat: Tropical waters; coral reefs; western Central Pacific
Length: 2.5 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Body covered in various sizes of dark eyespots
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Pelagic Thresher Shark Alopias pelagicus
The Pelagic Thresher, often confused with the Longtailed Thresher, is found in tropical waters worldwide. Thresher Sharks are recognized by the long upper lobe of their caudal fin, which may sometimes as long as the body. They often utilize these long tails to stun their prey before feeding.
Habitat: Pelagic, open waters; up to 1,600 ft.; tropical waters worldwide
Length: 8-11 ft.
Diet: Pelagic squid, flying fish, and herring
Color: Metallic-gray above, white underside
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Peppered Catshark Galeus piperatus
The Peppered Catshark is found only in the northern Gulf of California, at depths between 1,310 and 4,345 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 4,345 ft.; eastern central Pacific
Length: 11 in.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Least Concern
Philippine Sawshark Pristiophorus sp. C
The Philippine Sawshark is endemic to the Philippines off Apo Island and southern Luzon, at depths between 750 and 1,930 feet. Sawsharks, though similar in appearance, are in distinct from sawfish. Sawsharks bear a long snout, edged with large and small teeth, which they utilize to disable their prey.
Habitat: Continental shelf and upper slope, up to 1,930 ft.; northwestern Pacific Ocean
Length: 2.3 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Uniformly dark brown above, white below
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Pigeye Shark Carcharhinus amboinensis
Also known as a Java Shark, the Pigeye Shark is a virtually unknown species. Its distribution ranges from the eastern Atlantic to the Indo-West Pacific, at depths up to 490 feet.
Habitat: Tropical waters; continental and insular shelves, up to 490 ft.; eastern Atlantic, Indo-West Pacific
Length: 9 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans
Color: Grayish above, white underside
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Pink Lanternshark Etmopterus dianthus
The Pink Lanternshark is an virtually unknown deepwater species. It is observed in the waters of the central Queensland Plateau and from off New Caledonia, at depths between 360 and 2,880 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Continental slope, up to 2,890 ft.; western Pacific
Length: 16 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Pinkish above, dusky to black underside, with distinctive black markings
Conservation level: Least Concern
Plunket's Dogfish Centroscymnus plunketi
Also known as Plunket's Shark, this uncommon shark remains virtually unknown. Its geographic range is limited to southeastern Australia, and New Zealand, at depths between 720 and 5,085 feet.
Habitat: Continental and insular slopes, up to 5,085 ft.; southwest Pacific
Length: 4 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes and cephalopods
Color: Dark gray-brown
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Pocket Shark Mollisquama parini
The Pocket Shark is the only member of the genus Mollisquama. This species, known only from a single holotype, was found in deep waters off Chile in the southeast Pacific Ocean.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 1,000 ft.; southeast Pacific Ocean
Length: Not specified
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Polkadot Catshark Scyliorhinus besnardi
The Polkadot Catshark is endemic to the waters around northern Uruguay in the southwest Atlantic. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Outer continental shelf, 620 ft.; southwest Atlantic
Length: 18 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Pondicherry Shark Carcharhinus hemiodon
The Pondicherry Shark is a virtually unknown shark endemic to Indo-West Pacific, more specifically the Gulf of Oman to Vietnam, Indonesia, and New Guinea.
Habitat: Continental and insular shelves; Indo-West Pacific
Length: 6.5 ft.
Diet: Small fishes, cephalopods and crustaceans
Color: Gray above, white underside
Conservation level: Critically Endangered
Porbeagle Lamna nasus
The Porbeagle is a large pelagic predatory shark, found in coastal waters in depths of more than 700 feet. Thanks to an endothermic system, the Porbeagle is able to maintain its temperature above that of the surrounding seawater. Porbeagles, like dolphins, are unique in that they have been known to exhibit playful behavior with each other.
Habitat: Continental shelves, up to 2,300 ft.; temperate and cold-temperate waters worldwide
Length: 12 ft. Weight
Diet: Bony fishes
Color: Dark blue-gray above, white underside
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Port Jackson Shark Heterodontus portusjacksoni
The Port Jackson is a migratory shark, traveling south in the summer and north to breed in the winter months. Its pattern of dark brown bands has made it a popular exhibit in public aquariums.
Habitat: Rocky beds and sandy caves of continental shelves, up to a depth of 560 ft; southwestern Pacific Ocean
Length: 5.5 ft.
Diet: Hard-shelled mollusks, crustaceans, sea urchins, and fish
Color: Dark brown bands on pale body
Conservation level: Least Concern
Portuguese Dogfish Centroscymnus coelolepis
Also known as the Portuguese Shark, this species remains virtually unknown. Its range is sporadically dispersed in global locations, in depths between 886 and 1,500 feet.
Habitat: Continental slopes and abyssal plains, up to 1,500 ft.; western and eastern Atlantic Ocean, western Mediterranean, western and western Central Pacific Ocean
Length: 3.5-4 ft.
Diet: Fish, other sharks, cephalopods, gastropods, and cetacean meat
Color: Uniformly blackish brown
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Prickly Dogfish Oxynotus bruniensis
The biology of the Prickly Dogfish is poorly known. Its range is limited to the temperate waters of the southwest Pacific, mainly southern Australia and New Zealand, at depths between 150 and 3,280 feet.
Habitat: Temperate waters, outer continental and insular shelves and uppermost slopes, up to 3,280 ft.; southwest Pacific
Length: 23 in.
Diet: Fish and bottom invertebrates
Color: Uniformly dark brown
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Prickly Shark Echinorhinus cookei
The Prickly Shark is a large and relatively sluggish bottom dwelling species, is often found in submarine canyons, but typically along continental shelves and insular slopes. Although the shark is rare, its range is limited to the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Habitat: Tropical and temperate waters; continental and insular shelves and upper slopes, up to 1,300 ft.; Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean
Length: 13 ft.
Diet: Other sharks, bony fish, octopus, and squid
Color: Grayish-brown, with white around mouth and bottom surface of snout.
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Puffadder Shyshark Haploblepharus edwardsii
The Puffadder Shyshark is a poorly known, mainly sedentary species. Its distribution is limited to the southeast Atlantic, more specifically Cape Agulhas to Natal in South Africa. When pulled from the water, these sharks are said to cover their eyes with their tail, earning them a "shy" reputation.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; continental shelf, on sandy and rocky bottoms, up to 430 ft.; southeast Atlantic
Length: 23 in.
Diet: Bony fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Sandy brown with reddish-brown saddles, dark brown and white spots between saddles, and white underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Pygmy Lanternshark Etmopterus fusus
The Pygmy Lanternshark is a small shark found in the eastern Indian Ocean from northern western Australia, and possibly Java, Indonesia, at depths between 1,410 and 1,800 feet. As with most deepwater species, its biology is virtually unknown.
Habitat: Continental shelves and upper slopes, up to 1,800 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 10 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Dark gray or black, with faint dark markings
Conservation level: Least Concern
Pygmy Ribbontail Catshark Eridacnis radcliffei
The Pygmy Ribbontail Catshark is one of the two smallest living sharks. Its range is limited to the Indo-Pacific oceans, from Tanzania, the Gulf of Aden, India, the Andaman Islands, Vietnam, and the Philippines, at depths between 230 and 2,460 feet.
Habitat: Upper continental and insular slopes, and outer shelves, up to 2,460 ft.; Indo-Pacific Ocean
Length: 13 in.
Diet: Small bony fishes and crustaceans
Color: Dark brown with blackish markings on fins
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Pygmy Shark Euprotomicrus bispinatus
Along with the Velvet Lanternshark, this shark is one of the world's smallest shark species. The lower portion of its body is luminescent, which helps to protect its from lurking predators below.
Habitat: Subtropical and warm temperate waters; up to 5,000 ft.; tropical zones worldwide
Length: 8.5-10.5 in.
Diet: Tiny crustaceans
Color: Black, with a slightly paler underside
Conservation level: Least Concern
Quagga Catshark Halaelurus quagga
The Quagga Catshark is endemic to the western Indian Ocean, from Somalia to India, at depths up to 605 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Continental shelves, on or near the bottom, up to 605 ft.; western Indian Ocean
Length: 13 in.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Rasptooth Dogfish Miroscyllium shiekoi
Despite being critically endangered, the biology of the Rasptooth Dogfish is virtually unknown. This rare deepwater shark is the only species in the genus Miroscyllium, found on the Kyushu-Palau Ridge in the northwest Pacific Ocean, at depths up to 1,180 feet.
Habitat: Up to 1,180 ft.; northwest Pacific Ocean
Length: 16 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Critically Endangered
Redspotted Catshark Schroederichthys chilensis
Also known as the Chilean Catshark, the Redspotted Catshark is commonly found in the coastal waters of the southeastern Pacific, from central Peru to southern Chile. This nocturnal species is typically solitary, residing in caves and crevices during the day and emerging at night to feed
Habitat: Rocky sublittoral areas at the edge of the continental shelf, up to 330 ft.; southeastern Pacific Ocean
Length: 11-25 in.
Diet: Benthic crustaceans
Color: Dark reddish brown with dark saddle patterns; creamy white underside
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Reticulated Swellshark Cephaloscyllium fasciatum
The Reticulated Swellshark is known from two populations in the western Pacific Ocean, from Hainan Island to northwestern Australia, at depths between 720 and 1,475 feet. Swellsharks are so named for their ability to ingest large amounts of water, swelling their bodies to twice their normal size when threatened by a predator.
Habitat: Tropical waters; outer continental shelf and uppermost slope, up to 1,475 ft.; Indo-West Pacific Ocean
Length: 16 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Pattern of narrow lines forming saddles, with dark colored blotches and reticulations
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Rough Longnose Dogfish Deania hystricosa
The Rough Longnose Dogfish is a rarely observed and virtually unknown deepwater dogfish. Its range lies within the eastern Atlantic around Madeira, and in the western Pacific around southern Japan.
Habitat: Outer continental insular shelves and upper slopes, up to 3,200 ft.; eastern Atlantic Ocean, Indo-West Pacific
Length: 3-3.5 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Roughskin Dogfish Centroscymnus owstoni
Also known as Owston's Dogfish, the Roughskin Dogfish is a virtually unknown deepwater species. Its range lies within tropical, subtropical, and temperate waters at depths up 4,920 feet.
Habitat: Upper and middle continental slopes, in tropical, subtropical and temperate waters, up to 4,920 ft.; western Central Atlantic, western and southeast Pacific Ocean
Length: 3.5-4 ft.
Diet: Fish and cephalopods
Color: Black or blackish brown
Conservation level: Least Concern
Roughskin Dogshark Cirrhigaleus asper
The Roughskin Dogshark, like many other deepwater sharks, remains virtually unknown. Its range varies across temperate and tropical waters, in depths between 650 and 1,968 feet.
Habitat: Temperate to tropical waters; outer continental shelves, upper and insular slopes, up to 1,968 ft.; western Atlantic Ocean, western Indian Ocean, eastern Central Pacific Ocean
Length: 3.5-4 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes and squids
Color: Dark gray or brown above, lighter underside, with white edges on fins
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Roughtail Catshark Galeus arae
The Roughtail Catshark is endemic to the western central Atlantic, from South Carolina to Florida, and from the Gulf of Mexico to the Caribbean. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Upper continental and insular slopes, up to 2,395 ft.; western Central Atlantic
Length: 14 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, including shrimp
Color: Pale yellowish brown, with a row of dark brown blotches and spots
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Rusty Carpetshark Parascyllium ferrugineum
The Collared Carpetshark is a poorly known species endemic to southern Australia, at depths between 17 and 180 feet. Carpetsharks are so named for carpet-like patterns and markings, which many members exhibit on their dorsal surfaces.
Habitat: Continental shelf and inshore near rocks and river mouths, up to180 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 2.5-3 ft.
Diet: Small benthic crustaceans
Color: Gray-brown with dark collar around the gills; six or seven saddles and dark spots on the body
Conservation level: Least Concern
Saddled Carpetshark Cirrhoscyllium japonicum
The biology of the Saddled Carpetshark is virtually unknown. The species is endemic to the waters around Japan, at depths between 820 and 950 feet. Carpetsharks are so named for carpet-like patterns and markings, which many members exhibit on their dorsal surfaces.
Habitat: Temperate waters; continental shelf, offshore on or near the bottom, up to 950 ft.; northwest Pacific
Length: 19 in.
Diet: Invertebrates
Color: Nine bold saddle marks
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Sailback Houndshark Gogolia filewoodi
The Sailback Houndshark is the only member of the genus Gogolia, endemic to the waters off northern Papua New Guinea. The only known specimen was recorded at a depth of 240 feet.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental shelf, up to 240 ft.; western Central Pacific
Length: 2-2.5 ft.
Diet: Small fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Sailfin Roughshark Oxynotus paradoxus
The Sailfin Roughshark is a rare and virtually unknown species. Its range is limited to the eastern Atlantic from Scotland to Senegal, at depths between 870 and 2,360 feet.
Habitat: Continental slope, up to 2,360 ft.; eastern Atlantic
Length: 3.5-4 ft.
Diet: Fishes and small bottom invertebrates
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Salamander Shark Parmaturus pilosus
The poorly known Salamander Shark is endemic to the northwest Pacific, exclusively China and Japan. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental slope, up to 2,590 ft.; northwest Pacific Ocean
Length: 25 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Saldanha Catshark Apristurus saldanha
The Saldanha Catshark is a deepwater species endemic to the southeast Atlantic, from Cape Columbine to False Bay, South Africa, at depths between 1,490 and 2,350 feet. Catsharks are a relatively unknown group of sharks, often recognized for their slender bodies and flattened snout, as well as cat-like slits for eyes.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental slopes, up to 2,350 ft.; southeast Atlantic Ocean
Length: 2.8 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Uniformly dark gray-brown
Conservation level: Least Concern
Salmon Shark Lamna ditropis
This species is part of a small class of sharks which can regulate their internal body temperature to reach as high as 50-degrees warmer than their surrounding waters.
Habitat: Pelagic, very cold waters, up to 500 ft.; North Pacific Ocean
Length: 10 ft.
Diet: Herring, tuna, and salmon
Color: Bluish-black, with a white underside
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Sand Devil Squatina dumeril
Also known as an Atlantic Angelshark, this rather small species is virtually unknown. The name "angelshark" is attributed to the characteristic flat body, and wing-like fins. During the daylight hours, the angelshark lies half-buried in the ocean substrate, remaining motionless before ambushing unsuspecting prey.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; outer continental shelves and upper slopes, up to 4,232 ft.; western Atlantic
Length: 3-6 ft.
Diet: Small bottom fishes, crustaceans and bivalves
Color: Bluish to ashy-gray, sometimes with blackish spots; white underside
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Sandbar Shark Carcharhinus plumbeus
As its name suggests, the unaggressive sandbar shark is commonly found on sandy bottoms in shallow coastal waters of estuaries, harbors, lagoons, and even the mouths of rivers.
Habitat: Coastal waters, up to 1,000 ft.; western Atlantic, eastern Atlantic, Indo-Pacific, Red Sea, and Mediterranean
Length: 6.5-8 ft.
Diet: Benthic fish, other sharks, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Gray or brown above, with a white or pale underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Sandtiger Shark Carcharias Taurus
Also known as a Gray Nurse Shark, the Sand Tiger Shark is the only shark known to rise to the surface for air. The species swims primarily near the ocean floor and is known for its strong swimming abilities.
Habitat: Warm-temperate, tropical, subtropical waters; outer continental shelves and uppermost slope, up to 1,640 ft.; eastern Atlantic, western Mediterranean
Length: 6 ft.
Diet: Small sharks, jacks, cuttlefish, and crustaceans
Color: Dull gray or light brown above, scattered white and dark brown spots
Conservation level: Critically Endangered
Scalloped Bonnethead Sphyrna corona
The Scalloped Bonnethead is among the smallest species of hammerhead, and is distinguished by its shovel or bonnet-shaped head. Bonnetheads are a migratory species, following warmer temperatures closer to the equator during the winter months. During these migration events the Bonnetheads are seen in groups of hundreds or even a thousand.
Habitat: Warm waters; continental and insular shelves, over reefs, estuaries and shallow bays, up to 262 ft.; eastern Pacific Ocean
Length: 3 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans, cephalopods, and small fishes
Color: Gray to gray-brown, often with dark spots, and white underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Scalloped Hammerhead Sphyrna lewini
Distinguished by indentions along its hammer-shaped head, this agile and speedy shark is either solitary or found in enormous gatherings. Its unique head helps the shark hunt, via a highly evolved sensory system, and swim through hydrodynamic functionality.
Habitat: Subtropical, tropical and temperate coastal waters, up to 900 ft.; all tropical seas
Length: 8-9 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes, small sharks, and cephalopods
Color: Gray-brown or olive above, white underside, and black-tipped lower pectoral fins
Conservation level: Endangered
Scoophead Shark Sphyrna media
An arched, mallet-shaped head distinguishes the Scoophead Shark from other hammerheads. Its distribution is limited to the eastern Atlantic, from Panama to southern Brazil; and the eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of California to Ecuador and Peru. Little is known of the Scoophead's biology.
Habitat: Tropical waters; inshore areas over the continental shelves; western Atlantic Ocean, eastern Pacific Ocean
Length: 4-5 ft.
Diet: Small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Sharpfin Houndshark Triakis acutipinna
The biology of the Sharpfin Houndshark is virtually unknown, as only two specimens have recorded from the coastal waters of Ecuador. The species is thought to be endemic to the tropical eastern Pacific, at depths of up to 650 feet.
Habitat: Tropical waters; sandy bottoms and reefs in coastal water, up to 650 ft.; eastern Pacific
Length: 3.2 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes, benthic crustaceans
Color: Uniformly gray
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Sharpnose Sevengill Shark Heptranchias perlo
Although this species is typically found on or near the bottom at great depths, the Sharpnose Sevengill may occasionally be observed close to the surface. The distance of its range suggests the shark is a powerful swimmer.
Habitat: Tropical, temperate waters; outer continental and insular shelves, up to 3,280 ft.; western and eastern Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean
Length: 4.5 ft.
Diet: Bony fish, rays, small sharks, squid, and crustaceans
Color: Brownish-grey to olive back, paling to a lighter underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Sharptooth Houndshark Triakis megalopterus
The Sharptooth Houndshark forms schools during the summer months, and is therefore commonly caught by rock and surf sport anglers during this time. Its distribution is limited to the southeast Atlantic, from Namibia to Coffee Bay, South Africa.
Habitat: Sandy beaches, rocky shores and in shallow bays, up to 165 ft.; southeast Atlantic
Length: 5.7 ft.
Diet: Bony fish, small sharks crabs, and lobsters
Color: Gray, often with numerous black spots; white underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Sharptooth Smoothhound Mustelus dorsalis
The poorly known Sharptooth Smoothhound is limited to the eastern Pacific, from southern Mexico to Peru. This species is part of one of the largest shark families, Triakidae. Many of the species within this family are small to moderate-sized nocturnal sharks and are generally seen close to the bottom in a variety of depths.
Habitat: Tropical waters; continental shelves; eastern Pacific Ocean
Length: 2 ft.
Diet: Shrimps and other crustaceans
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Sherwood Dogfish Scymnodalatias sherwoodi
The Sherwood Dogfish is a very rare shark, known only from several species. The Sherwood is endemic to the southwest Pacific, exclusively New Zealand.
Habitat: Insular slopes, up to 1,640 ft.; southwest Pacific
Length: 2.5-3 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Dark brown or black
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Shortfin Mako Isurus oxyrinchus
The Shortfin Mako is thought to reach speeds of up to 25 mph and is renowned for its ability to leap out of the water. This species bears a Vulnerable conservation status, as sport and commercial fishing gravely threaten its ability to populate.
Habitat: Pelagic, atolls in the open sea; tropical, subtropical, and temperate waters worldwide
Length: 6-8 ft. Weight
Diet: Tuna, mackerel, herring, swordfish, and other sharks
Color: Metallic-blue, with a white underside
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Shortnose Demon Catshark Apristurus internatus
The Shortnose Demon Catshark is a deepwater species, found only in the East China Sea, at depths between 4,230 and 6,036 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; upper continental slope, up to 6,036 ft.; northwest Pacific
Length: 15 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Shortnose Sawshark Pristiophorus nudipinnis
The Shortnose Sawshark is found in the eastern Indian Ocean, more specifically Australia, at depths between 120 and 540 feet. Sawsharks, though similar in appearance, are in distinct from sawfish. Sawsharks bear a long snout, edged with large and small teeth, which they utilize to disable their prey.
Habitat: Continental shelf, up to 540 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 3.5-4 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Least Concern
Shortnose Spurdog Squalus megalops
The Shortnose Spurdog remains a virtually unknown species. Its range is limited to the eastern Indian Ocean, exclusively to Australia, at depths between 98 to 2,460 feet.
Habitat: Temperate and tropical waters; outer continental shelves and upper slopes, up to 2,460 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 2.5 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Bronze-gray above, white underside
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Shortnose Velvet Dogfish Centroscymnus cryptacanthus
The biology of the Shortnose Velvet Dogfish is virtually unknown. This deepwater species is found in the southwest Atlantic Ocean, near Uruguay; as well as the eastern Atlantic, from Madeira and Senegal to western South Africa.
Habitat: Upper continental slopes, up to 3,940 ft.; southwest Atlantic Ocean
Length: 3.5 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Shortspine Spurdog Squalus mitsukurii
Also known as s Green-eye Spurdog, this species is distributed throughout temperate and subtropical waters globally, typically at depths between 13 and 3,130 feet.
Habitat: Continental, insular shelves and upper slopes, up to 3,130 ft.; temperate and subtropical waters worldwide
Length: 3-4 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes including, lanternfishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans
Color: Pearl-gray back, white underside, with white-edged fins
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Shorttail Catshark Parmaturus sp. A
The Shorttail Catshark is an extremely rare species, known from a single specimen collected off the coast of Queensland. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 1,935 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 28 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Pale yellowish-brown above, lighter underside, with fins having paler margins
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Shorttail Lanternshark Etmopterus brachyurus
The Shorttail Lanternshark is an virtually unknown deepwater species. It range lies within the western Pacific from Japan, the Philippines, and western Australia between 1,475 and 2,950 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Upper slope, on or near the bottom up to 2,950 ft.; western Pacific Ocean
Length: 19 in.
Diet: Bony fish, squid, octopuses, shrimp, and brittle stars
Color: Gray-brown back, black underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Shorttail Nurse Shark Pseudoginglymostoma brevicaudatum
The Shorttail Nurse Shark is a virtually unknown inshore bottom shark. The species is well adapted to coral reefs, and is capable of surviving out of water for long periods of time.
Habitat: Tropical waters; continental and insular shelves; western Indian Ocean
Length: 2.5 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Sicklefin Houndshark Hemitriakis falcata
The Sicklefin Houndshark is a poorly known species, endemic to western Australia, at depths up to 490 feet. This species is part of one of the largest shark families, Triakidae. Many of the species within this family are small to moderate-sized nocturnal sharks and are generally seen close to the bottom in a variety of depths.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; outer continental slope, up to 490 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 2.6 ft.
Diet: Small fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Least Concern
Sicklefin Lemon Shark Negaprion acutidens
Almost identical to the Lemon Shark, this species is very active and often curious. Common in shallow waters, the Sicklefin is able to rest motionless on the ocean without suffocating.
Habitat: Sandy or coral lined shallows, up to 300 ft.; tropical Indo-Pacific
Length: 10 ft.
Diet: Smaller sharks, stingrays and on benthic bony fishes
Color: Yellowish-brown above, paler underside
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Sicklefin Smoothhound Mustelus lunulatus
The Sicklefin Smoothhound is endemic to the eastern Pacific, from southern California to Panama. This species is part of one of the largest shark families, Triakidae. Many of the species within this family are small to moderate-sized nocturnal sharks and are generally seen close to the bottom in a variety of depths.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; continental shelves, close inshore to well offshore; eastern Pacific Ocean
Length: 5.7 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Sicklefin Weasel Shark Hemigaleus microstoma
The biology of the Sicklefin Weasel Shark is virtually unknown. Its distribution is limited to the tropical Indo-West Pacific oceans, including southern India, Sri Lanka, and China to Indonesia.
Habitat: Tropical waters; continental inshore and offshore, up to 560 ft.; Indo-West Pacific
Length: 3.5 ft.
Diet: Cephalopods, and crustaceans
Color: Gray brown above, lighter underside
Conservation level: Least Concern
Silky Shark Carcharhinus falciformis
The Silky Shark, along with the Blue Shark and Oceanic Whitetip, is the most commonly encountered of the pelagic sharks. More active, yet less aggressive the other pelagic sharks, this species is often found on reefs that have deep drop-offs.
Habitat: Pelagic, tropical and warm temperate waters; up to 1,650 ft.; Worldwide
Length: 6.5-8 ft.
Diet: Pelagic bony fishes
Color: Gray, brown, or bronze, with metallic tones above
Conservation level: Least Concern
Silvertip Shark Carcharhinus albimarginatus
The Silvertip Shark is similar in biology to the Gray Reef Shark, with the exception of sheer size and strength. Its distribution includes the western Indian Ocean, the western Pacific, and the eastern central Pacific between 100 and 2,600 feet.
Habitat: Deepwater; near isolated bands and reefs in the open sea, up to 2,600 ft.; western Indian Ocean, western Pacific, eastern Central Pacific
Length: 8-10 ft.
Diet: Bony fish such as mackerel, grouper, and tuna
Color: Blue-gray above, white underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Sixgill Sawshark Pliotrema warreni
The Sixgill Sawshark is the only species that exhibits six pairs of gill slits as well as a saw-snout. The Sixgill more than likely utilizes this saw-snout to stun and kill prey.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; continental shelf and upper slope, up to 1,410 ft.; western Indian Ocean
Length: 5.5 ft.
Diet: Bony fish, shrimp, mysids, and squid
Color: Pale brown above, white underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Slender Bamboo Shark Chiloscyllium indicum
The Slender Bamboo Shark is a common, but virtually unknown species. Its range is limited to the Indo-West Pacific Oceans.
Habitat: Coastal waters; sandy and rocky areas, bay and coral reefs; Indo-West Pacific Oceans
Length: 2 ft.
Diet: Bottom-dwelling invertebrates, and small fishes
Color: Light brown above, cream underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Slender Catshark Schroederichthys tenuis
The Slender Catshark is endemic to Suriname and the Amazon River mouth in Brazil, at depths of between 230 and 1,345 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; upper continental slope, up to 1,345 ft.; western Atlantic Ocean
Length: 27 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Slender Sawtail Catshark Galeus gracilis
The Slender Sawtail Catshark is found only from northern Australia, at depths between 950 and 1,540 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; uppermost continental slopes, up to 1,540 ft.; Indo-West Pacific
Length: 13 in.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Bold saddle markings on the body and tail
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Slender Smoothhound Gollum attenuatus
The Slender Smoothhound is the only member of the genus Gollum. Its distribution is limited to New Zealand, the east coast of Australia, New Caledonia, and Fiji, at depths between 390 and 2,165 feet.
Habitat: Outermost continental shelf and upper slope, up to 2,165 ft.; southwest Pacific
Length: 3.5 ft.
Diet: Fishes, cephalopods, and invertebrates
Color: Brown-gray above, paler underside
Conservation level: Least Concern
Slender Weasel Shark Paragaleus randalli
This biology of the Slender Weasel Shark is virtually unknown. Its distribution is limited to the western Indian Ocean, exclusively to the waters off Bahrain.
Habitat: Tropical waters; western Indian Ocean
Length: 1.5 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Slendertail Lanternshark Etmopterus molleri
The Slendertail Lanternshark is an virtually unknown deepwater species, found in the western Indian Ocean and the western Pacific between 820 and 2,820 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract deepwater prey.
Habitat: Upper continental slopes, up to 2,820 ft.; western Indian Ocean, western Pacific
Length: 18 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Light brown above, black underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Sliteye Shark Loxodon macrorhinus
The Sliteye Shark is the only member of the genus Loxodon. The biology of this species is poorly known, and its distribution is limited to the waters of the Indo-West Pacific Ocean.
Habitat: Tropical waters; continental and insular shelves, up to 330 ft.; Indo-West Pacific Ocean
Length: 3 ft.
Diet: Small bony fishes, shrimps and cuttlefish
Color: Gray above, pale underside
Conservation level: Least Concern
Smalldorsal Catshark Apristurus micropterygeus
The Smalldorsal Catshark is a deepwater species, known only from a holotype collected from the South China Sea, at a depth of 3,000 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 3,000 ft.; northwest Pacific
Length: 14 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Smalleye Catshark Apristurus microps
The Smalleye Catshark is endemic to the southeast Atlantic, from off the Orange River to Cape Agulhas, South Africa. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental slopes, up to 6,560 ft.; southeast Atlantic Ocean
Length: 2 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Uniformly black, dark brown, or gray
Conservation level: Learn Concern
Smalleye Hammerhead Sphyrna tudes
Also known as a Golden Hammerhead, this, the smallest of the hammerhead species, is recognized by its near golden color and proportionally small eyes. Because of its small size, the Smalleye may fall prey to larger sharks, such as bullheads and other hammerheads.
Habitat: Muddy coastal waters of the continental shelf, up to131 ft.; western Atlantic Ocean
Length: 4-4.25 ft.
Diet: Small fishes and pelagic crabs
Color: Bright gold to yellow-orange uniformly
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Smalleye Lanternshark Etmopterus litvinovi
The Smalleye Lanternshark is a moderately large and virtually unknown deepwater species. Its range lies within the southeast Pacific off Peru and Chile, at depths between 2,000 and 3,600 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Continental slope and submarine ridges, up to 3,600 ft.; southeast Pacific Ocean
Length: 24 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Smalleye Pygmy Shark Squaliolus aliae
The Smalleye Pygmy Shark is a very small dogfish, and quite possibly the smallest living shark (at a maximum size of 8 inches). Its range lies primarily in the western Pacific Ocean, from Japan to northern Australia, at depths up to 6,500 feet.
Habitat: Near continental and island land masses, up to 6,500 ft.; western Pacific Ocean
Length: 8 in.
Diet: Bony fishes, cephalopods
Color: Dark brown to black, with pale fin margins
Conservation level: Least Concern
Smalleye Smoothhound Mustelus higmani
The Smalleye Smoothhound is endemic to the western Atlantic, from the northern coast of Venezuela southward to Brazil. This species is part of one of the largest shark families, Triakidae. Many of the species within this family are small to moderate-sized nocturnal sharks and are generally seen close to the bottom in a variety of depths.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental shelf, over sandy bottoms, up to 2,950 ft.; western Atlantic
Length: 2.2 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans, bony fishes, squids, and coelenterates
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Least Concern
Smallfin Catshark Apristurus parvipinnis
The Smallfin Catshark is a deepwater species, endemic to the western Atlantic from the Gulf of Mexico off Florida, Gulf of Campeche, Panama, Colombia, and off French Guiana. Catsharks are a relatively unknown group of sharks, often recognized for their slender bodies and flattened snout; as well as cat-like sits for eyes.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental slope, up to 4,527 ft.; western Atlantic
Length: 18 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Smallfin Gulper Shark Centrophorus moluccensis
Also known as the Endeavor Dogfish, the Smallfin is a common, yet virtually unknown deepwater shark. Its range lies from the western Indian Ocean to the western Pacific Ocean.
Habitat: Outer continental and insular shelves and upper slopes, up to 2,600 ft.; western Indian Ocean, western Pacific Ocean
Length: 2-3.5 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes, other sharks, cephalopods, and crustaceans
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Smallspotted Catshark Scyliorhinus canicula
The Smallspotted Catshark is endemic to Norway and the British Isles to Senegal, including the Mediterranean and Cote d'Ivoire. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Continental shelves and uppermost slopes, up to 1,350 ft.; Mediterranean, eastern Atlantic Ocean
Length: 3 ft.
Diet: Mollusks, small crustaceans, and small bony fishes
Color: Pinkish-gray or brownish-gray with black spots
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Smalltail Shark Carcharhinus porosus
The Smalltail Shark is endemic to the western Atlantic, from the Gulf of Mexico to southern Brazil, as well as the eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of California to Peru.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; continental shelves, muddy bottoms and estuaries, up to 118 ft.; western Atlantic Ocean, eastern Pacific Ocean
Length: 3-4.4 ft.
Diet: Small fishes, invertebrates, and elasmobranches
Color: Bluish-gray or gray above, pale or white underside
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Smalltooth Sandtiger Shark Odontaspis ferox
This species of shark is known to exhibit migratory habits and uses its body and large, oily liver to regulate buoyancy.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 1,400 ft.; Mediterranean, eastern Atlantic, Indo Pacific, eastern Pacific
Length: 10-13 ft.
Diet: Cephalopods and benthic fish
Color: Gray above, white underside
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Smallunderside Catshark Apristurus indicus
The Smallunderside Catshark is a deepwater species, found in the western Indian Ocean from Somalia, the Gulf of Aden, and Oman, at depths between 4,265 and 6,036 feet. Catsharks are a relatively unknown group of sharks, often recognized for their slender bodies and flattened snout, as well as cat-like slits for eyes.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental slopes, up to 6,036 ft.; western Indian Ocean
Length: 13 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Smooth Hammerhead Sphyrna zygaena
The common and very active Smooth Hammerhead prefers shallow waters close to shore. The species is also migratory, moving to cooler latitudes during warmer seasons.
Habitat: Pelagic or coastal waters; up to 65 ft.; Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean
Length: 8-12 ft.
Diet: Small bony fishes, rays, and small sharks
Color: Brownish-gray to deep olive above, pale white underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Smooth Lanternshark Etmopterus pusillus
The Smooth Lanternshark is a virtually unknown deepwater species. Its range is circumglobal, typically up to 3,280 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: On or near the bottom of continental and insular slopes, up to 3,280 ft.; western and eastern Atlantic Ocean, western Indian Ocean, western and southeast Pacific Ocean
Length: 19 in.
Diet: Fish eggs, lanternfish, squid, and small dogfish
Color: Blackish-brown above, with an obscure black mark that runs throughout
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Smoothback Angelshark Squatina oculata
Relatively little is known about this species. The name "angelshark" is attributed to the characteristic flat body, and wing-like fins. During the daylight hours, the angelshark lies half-buried in the ocean substrate, remaining motionless before ambushing unsuspecting prey.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; continental shelves and upper slopes, up to 320 ft. (but deeper in the tropics); eastern Atlantic Ocean
Length: 5.2 ft.
Diet: Small fishes, squid, octopus, shrimps, and crabs.
Color: Gray-brown with small white and blackish spots
Conservation level: Critically Endangered
Smoothhound Mustelus canis
Also known as a Dusky Smoothhound, this species is one of the most abundant sharks on the east coast of the U.S. This species has also been observed in freshwater, however its biology is unequipped to survive this environment for extended periods of time. The Smoothhound is a migratory species, traveling seasonally in the spring and autumn months.
Habitat: Continental shelves, bays, and other inshore waters, up to 655 ft.; western Atlantic Ocean
Length: 5 ft.
Diet: Large crustaceans, small fish, and mollusks
Color: Olive gray or brown, with shades of yellow or grayish-white
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Smoothtooth Blacktip Shark Carcharhinus leiodon
The biology of the Smoothtooth Blacktip Shark is known only from an immature male holotype. It is thought to endemic to the western Indian Ocean, exclusively southern Arabia and the Gulf of Aden.
Habitat: Tropical waters; western Indian Ocean
Length: 2.5 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Snaggletooth Shark Hemipristis elongatus
The Snaggletooth Shark is the only member of the genus Hemipristis, found in the Indo-West Pacific oceans, including the Red Sea, southeast Africa, Philippines, China, and Australia.
Habitat: Inshore and offshore on the continental and insular shelves, up to 425 ft.; Indo-West Pacific oceans
Length: 8 ft.
Diet: Sharks, rays, bony fishes, and cephalopods
Color: Light gray or bronze
Conservation level: Vulnerable
South China Catshark Apristurus sinensis
The South China Catshark is known only from a holotype caught from the South China Sea, at a depth of 1,760 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental shelf, up to 1,760 ft.; northwest Pacific
Length: ~16-19 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
South China Cookiecutter Shark Isistius labialis
Found primarily in the South China Sea, this extremely rare species is only known only from several specimens caught within its proposed range. Cookiecutter sharks are characterized by their strong, well-developed teeth, which they use to tear perfectly circular chunks of flesh from larger animals.
Habitat: Up to 1,700 ft.; circumglobal in cold sub-Antarctic waters of the southern Hemisphere
Length: ~12-14 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Least Concern
Southern African Frilled Shark Chlamydoselachus sp. A
The Southern African's appearance greatly resembles the Frilled Shark, save for a more elongated head and a shorter body. Several collected specimens in its range have yielded little information regarding its biology, other than it has remained virtually unchanged over time.
Habitat: Offshore continental, insular shelves and upper slopes, up to 4,700 ft.; southern Atlantic
Length: 5-6 ft.
Diet: Bony fish, other sharks, and squid
Color: Dark brown or gray back, paler underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Southern Lanternshark Etmopterus granulosus
The biology of the Southern Lanternshark, like most deepwater species, remains virtually unknown. The shark is endemic to South America, off southern Argentina, as well as the Falkland Islands. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Outermost continental shelves and upper slopes, up to 4,790 ft.; southeastern Pacific
Length: 23 in.
Diet: Bony fish, crabs, squid, and deep-water shrimp
Color: Dark brown above, blackish underside, with conspicuous black markings
Conservation level: Least Concern
Southern Mandarin Dogfish Cirrhigaleus australis
The Southern Mandarin is a moderately large dogfish of the genus Cirrhigaleus. Its range lies within the Pacific Ocean, more specifically southeastern Australia and New Zealand, at depths between 1,180 and 2,100 feet.
Habitat: Temperate waters, continental slope, up to 2,100 ft.; Pacific Ocean
Length: 4 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Gray-brown above, paler underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Southern Sawtail Catshark Galeus mincaronei
The Southern Sawtail Catshark is endemic to the western central Atlantic, at depths up to 2,460 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; upper continental and insular slopes, up to 2,460 ft.; western central Atlantic
Length: 15 in.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Pale yellowish brown, with a row of dark brown blotches and spots
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Spadenose Shark Scoliodon laticaudus
The Spadenose Shark is the only member of the genus Scoliodon. The species is endemic to the tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific, including tropical rivers, usually at depths of between 32 and 42 feet.
Habitat: Tropical waters; rocky areas, coastal waters, and tropical rivers, up to 42 ft.; Indo-West Pacific
Length: 3.2 ft.
Diet: Small bony fishes, shrimp, and cuttlefish
Color: Bronze-gray above, white underside, with fins occasionally darker than body
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Sparsetooth Dogfish Scymnodalatias oligodon
The Sparsetooth Dogfish is a very rare sleeper shark, known only from a holotype taken in the southeast Pacific at a depth of up to 650 feet. The biology of this species is unknown.
Habitat: Subtropical waters, up to 650 ft.; southeast Pacific
Length: ~26 cm.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Spatulasnout Catshark Apristurus platyrhynchus
The Spatulasnout Catshark is a deepwater species endemic to the western Pacific, from the Philippines, East and South China Seas, to Suruga Bay, Japan. Catsharks are a relatively unknown group of sharks, often recognized for their slender bodies and flattened snout, as well as cat-like slits for eyes.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental slopes; western Pacific
Length: 2.6 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Uniformly black, brown or gray
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Speartooth Shark Glyphis glyphis
The Speartooth Shark is a rare species of river shark, endemic to the rivers and estuaries within the Indo-Pacific. Its biology is virtually unknown, and the six known river sharks are vulnerable to extinction. Each river shark exhibits physical characteristics, such as small eyes, which suggest that the species is highly adapted to the freshwater habitat.
Habitat: (Inshore) western Pacific
Length: 3.5-4 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Critically Endangered
Speckled Carpetshark Hemiscyllium trispeculare
The Speckled Carpetshark is a virtually unknown bottom shark, found in shallow coral reefs around northern Australia, at depths up to 165 feet.
Habitat: Tropical waters; coral reefs of the continental shelf, up to 165 ft.; western Pacific
Length: 2.5 ft.
Diet: Benthic invertebrates
Color: Densely covered with large and small dark spots
Conservation level: Least Concern
Speckled Catshark Halaelurus boesemani
The Speckled Catshark is found from the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia, also known from Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and western Australia. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; continental and insular shelves, up to 820 ft.; Indo-West Pacific
Length: 18 in.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Numerous dark spots between weakly colored saddles and bars
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Speckled Smoothhound Mustelus mento
The Speckled Smoothhound is endemic to the eastern Pacific, from Peru to southern Chile, including the Galapagos and Juan Fernandez Islands. This species is part of one of the largest shark families, Triakidae. Many of the species within this family are small to moderate-sized nocturnal sharks and are generally seen close to the bottom in a variety of depths.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; inshore and offshore, continental and insular shelves, up to 165 ft.; eastern Pacific Ocean
Length: 4.2 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Plain colored with small white spots
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Spined Pygmy Shark Squaliolus laticaudus
The Spined Pygmy Shark is among the smallest shark species, growing to a total length between 10 and 11 inches. It is known to make vertical migrations to around 650 feet during the nighttime hours to follow prey.
Habitat: Pelagic; near continental and insular landmasses, up to 3,900 ft.; tropical waters worldwide
Length: 10.5-11 in.
Diet: Squid, lanternfish, gonostomatids and idiacanthids
Color: Dark with light-margined fins
Conservation level: Least Concern
Spinner Shark Carcharhinus brevipinna
The Spinner Shark is so named for its ability to make spinning vertical leaps out of the water to catch its prey. This feeding technique occurs when the shark swims through a school of fish with its mouth open, and then breaks the surface in spinning form.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; continental and insular shelves, inshore to offshore, up to 320 ft.; western Atlantic Ocean, eastern Atlantic Ocean, Indo-West Pacific
Length: 9.5-10 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes, small sharks, cuttlefish, squids, and octopuses
Color: Gray above, white underside, with a white band on its sides
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Spiny Dogfish Squalus acanthias
Also known as a Piked Dogfish, this highly migratory species prefers seawater, but is known to tolerate freshwater as well. The Spiny Dogfish is the only species of horned shark that can inflict toxins with its tail.
Habitat: Exclusively in coldwater; continental shelf, up to 3,000 ft.; Atlantic and Pacific.
Length: 2.5-3.5 ft.
Diet: Pelagic fishes, squid, jellyfish, shrimps, crabs, octopus, and sea cucumbers
Color: Slate-colored, often a brownish cast, pale gray to pure white underside
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Splendid Lanternshark Etmopterus splendidus
The biology of the Splendid Lanternshark, like many other deepwater species, is virtually unknown. It is endemic to the western Pacific Ocean, in depths between 390 and 688 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Outer continental shelves and upper slopes, up to 688 ft.; western Pacific
Length: 11-12 in.
Diet: Squid
Color: Purplish-black above, bluish-black underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Spongehead Catshark Apristurus spongiceps
The Spongehead Catshark is a rare species, known only from two specimens caught in the Pacific Ocean from the Banda Sea off southern Sulawesi and the Hawaiian Islands, at depths between 1,870 and 4,855 feet. Catsharks are a relatively unknown group of sharks, often recognized for their slender bodies and flattened snout, as well as cat-like slits for eyes.
Habitat: Deepwater; insular slopes, on or near the bottom, up to 4,855 ft.; Pacific Ocean
Length: 19 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Uniformly dark brown
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Spotless Catshark Halaelurus immaculatus
The Spotless Catshark is known only from the South China Sea, east of Hainan Island, at depths between 1,755 and 3,350 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Continental slope, up to 3,350 ft.; northwest Pacific
Length: 27 in.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Spotless Smoothhound Mustelus griseus
The Spotless Smoothhound is endemic to the northwest Pacific from Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, and Vietnam. This species is part of one of the largest shark families, Triakidae. Many of the species within this family are small to moderate-sized nocturnal sharks and are generally seen close to the bottom in a variety of depths.
Habitat: Tropical waters; continental shelves, over sandy bottoms, up to 985 ft.; northwest Pacific Ocean
Length: 3.2 ft.
Diet: Benthic invertebrates, crustaceans
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Spottail Shark Carcharhinus sorrah
The Spottail Shark is found in the Indo-West Pacific Ocean at depths up to 450 feet. The species typically lives near the ocean floor during the daylight hours and within proximity to the surface at night.
Habitat: Tropical waters; continental and insular shelves, coral reefs, up to 450 ft.; Indo-West Pacific
Length: 5.2 ft.
Diet: Teleost fishes, cephalopods and crustaceans
Color: Gray or gray-brown above, white underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Spotted Estuary Smoothhound Mustelus lenticulatus
The Spotted Estuary Smoothhound is endemic to southern Australia and New Zealand. This species is part of one of the largest shark families, Triakidae. Many of the species within this family are small to moderate-sized nocturnal sharks and are generally seen close to the bottom in a variety of depths.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; continental shelves and in estuaries, up to 2,820 ft.; southwest Pacific
Length: 4-5 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans, mollusks, and small fishes
Color: Gray-brown above with numerous small white spots, and white underside
Conservation level: Least Concern
Spotted Houndshark Triakis maculata
The Spotted Houndshark is a poorly known species, endemic to the eastern Pacific, from the Galapagos Islands and Peru to northern Chile.
Habitat: Temperate waters; continental shelves, up to 650 ft.; eastern Pacific
Length: 5.5-6 ft.
Diet: Benthic invertebrates
Color: Light gray above, white underside and scattered black spots
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Spotted Wobbegong Orectolobus maculatus
The Spotted Wobbegong, similar to the Ornate Wobbegong, is found in the eastern Indian Ocean, more specifically, off the coasts of Australia. Wobbegongs are ambush predators, remaining motionless in the reef structure before striking their prey.
Habitat: Continental shelf on coral reefs or rocky and sandy areas, up to 360 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 5-6 ft.
Diet: Fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans
Color: Green to beige above, with dark saddle-stripes and lighter rosettes
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Springer's Sawtail Catshark Galeus springeri
Springer's Sawtail Catshark is found in the western central Atlantic from Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico, northern Hispaniola, and Cuba. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 2,295 ft.; western central Atlantic Ocean
Length: 12 in.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Starry Smoothhound Mustelus asterias
The Starry Smoothhound is found in the northeast Atlantic, from the British Isles and the North Sea to the Canary Islands, including the Mediterranean and Mauritania. This species is part of one of the largest shark families, Triakidae. Many of the species within this family are small to moderate-sized nocturnal sharks and are generally seen close to the bottom in a variety of depths.
Habitat: Temperate waters; continental and insular shelves, inshore and offshore, up to 1,150 ft.; northeast Atlantic Ocean
Length: 4.5 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans
Color: Uniformly gray or grayish-brown above, white underside
Conservation level: Least Concern
Starspotted Smoothhound Mustelus manazo
The Starspotted Smoothhound is endemic to the western Indian Ocean, from Kenya; and from the western Pacific, from southern Siberia, Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan and Vietnam. This species is part of one of the largest shark families, Triakidae. Many of the species within this family are small to moderate-sized nocturnal sharks and are generally seen close to the bottom in a variety of depths.
Habitat: Deepwater; intertidal zone, on sandy bottoms, up to 1,180 ft.; western Indian Ocean, western Pacific Ocean
Length: 7 ft.
Diet: Bottom invertebrates, and bony fishes
Color: Gray or gray-brown above, light underside, usually with numerous white spots
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Straighttooth Weasel Shark Paragaleus tengi
The Straighttooth Weasel Shark is a virtually unknown species found in the tropical western Pacific Ocean, from Japan to Vietnam, as well as Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Habitat: Tropical waters; western Pacific Ocean
Length: 2.8 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Gray or gray-brown above, light underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Striped Catshark Poroderma africanum
The Striped Catshark is endemic to the southeast Atlantic, exclusively South Africa, at depths up to 330 feet. This nocturnal species is typically solitary, residing in caves and crevices during the day and emerging at night to feed.
Habitat: Inshore and offshore, continental shelf, preferring rocky reefs, up to 330 ft.; southeast Atlantic
Length: 3-3.5 ft.
Diet: Small fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Long dark stripes
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Striped Smoothhound Mustelus fasciatus
As a result of intensive fishing within its geographic distribution, the Striped Smoothhound is classified as Critically Endangered. The species is endemic to the southwest Atlantic from southern Brazil to northern Argentina, up to 820 feet.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; continental shelves, up to 820 ft.; southwest Atlantic Ocean
Length: 4.5-5 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans and other benthic invertebrates
Color: Coloration is brown with narrow bands of dark spaces, white underside
Conservation level: Critically Endangered
Swellshark Cephaloscyllium ventriosum
The Swellshark is endemic to the eastern Pacific, from central California, Gulf of California, and southern Mexico to central Chile. Swellsharks are so named for their ability to ingest large amounts of water, swelling their bodies to twice their normal size when threatened by a predator.
Habitat: Temperate waters; continental shelves and upper slopes from inshore to deeper waters, up to 1,500 ft.; eastern Pacific Ocean
Length: 3-3.5 ft.
Diet: Crustaceans and bony fishes
Color: Grayish-yellow or brown, with black spots
Conservation level: Least Concern
Taillight Shark Euprotomicroides zantedeschia
The Taillight Shark is a rare sleeper shark and the only member of the genus Euprotomicroides. This species inhabits the subtropical waters of the southern Atlantic Ocean, in proximity to South Africa, Argentina, and Uruguay.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; upper continental slope, up to 2,100 ft.; southern Atlantic Ocean
Length: 16 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Brown or black with white fin margins
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Tailspot Lanternshark Etmopterus caudistigmus
The Tailspot is a rare and virtually unknown deepwater shark, known only from several specimens caught off of New Caledonia. The species is thought to be endemic to this area, in depths between 2,100 and 2,600 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Insular slopes, up 2,600 ft.; western Central Pacific Ocean
Length: 12 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Dark back, black underside
Conservation level: Least Concern
Taiwan Angelshark Squatina formosa
Relatively little is known about this species. The name "angelshark" is attributed to the characteristic flat body, and wing-like fins. During the daylight hours, the angelshark lies half-buried in the ocean substrate, remaining motionless before ambushing unsuspecting prey.
Habitat: Outer continental shelf, up to 720 ft.; West Pacific
Length: 1.5 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes, crustaceans, and mollusks
Color: Light to dark brown throughout with black and white spots, white underside
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Taiwan Gulper Shark Centrophorus niaukang
Despite bearing a Near Threatened conservation level, the biology of the Taiwan Gulper Shark remains virtually unknown. Its range lies between the Atlantic and Indo-West Pacific oceans.
Habitat: Outer continental shelves and upper slopes, or near the seabed, up to 3,200 ft.; Atlantic Ocean, Indo-West Pacific Ocean
Length: 3.5-4.5 ft.
Diet: Bony fishes, small dogfish sharks, skates, squid and crustaceans
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Taiwan Lanternshark Etmopterus burgessi
The Taiwan Lanternshark is a newly described species of the family Dalatiidae. This deepwater shark is endemic to the waters around Taiwan. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Temperate and tropical waters; seamounts and along continental margins; northwestern Pacific Ocean
Length: Not specified
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Taiwan Saddled Wobbegong Cirrhoscyllium formosanum
The biology of the Taiwan Saddled Wobbegong remains virtually unknown. It distribution is limited to the northwest Pacific, in proximity to Taiwan. Wobbegongs are ambush predators, remaining motionless in the reef structure before striking their prey.
Habitat: Subtropical waters; outer continental shelf on or near the bottom, up to 360 ft.; northwest Pacific
Length: 15 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Six diffuse saddle marks
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Tasmanian Lanternshark Etmopterus tasmaniensis
The biology of the Tasmanian Lanternshark, like many other deepwater species, is virtually unknown. It is endemic to the waters around Tasmania, in depths between 300 and 3,300 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Outer continental shelves and upper slopes, up to 3,300 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 23 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Not specified
Conservation level: Not Evaluated
Tasselled Wobbegong Orectolobus dasypogon
The biology of the Tasselled Wobbegong remains virtually unknown, despite the fact that the species has been marked as Near Threatened. Wobbegongs are ambush predators, remaining motionless in the reef structure before striking their prey.
Habitat: Continental shelf and offshore reefs, up to 130 ft.; western Pacific
Length: 4 ft.
Diet: Bottom fishes and invertebrates
Color: Reticular pattern of narrow dark lines on the body
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Tawny Nurse Shark Nebrius ferrugineus
This species prefers the crevices and caves of reefs, and is often seen in groups of several individuals. The Tawny first teases its prey out of coral masses, and then uses powerful suction to draw the food into its mouth.
Habitat: Crevices, reefs and caves, continental shelves and coastal waters, up to 230 ft.; Red Sea, Indian Ocean, western Pacific Ocean.
Length: 11 ft.
Diet: Cephalopods, crustaceans, echinoderms, and sleeping fish
Color: Gray, beige, or brown above; white underside
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Thorny Lanternshark Etmopterus sentosus
The biology of the Thorny Lanternshark, like many other deepwater species, is virtually unknown. It is endemic to the western Indian Ocean, in depths between 650 and 1,640 feet. Laternsharks possess luminescent organs, which many of the species utilize to attract their deepwater prey.
Habitat: Upper slopes of the continental shelves, on or near the bottom, up to 1,640 ft.; western Indian Ocean
Length: 10.5 in.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Grayish-black above, black underside
Conservation level: Least Concern
Tiger Catshark Halaelurus natalensis
The Tiger Catshark is endemic to the southeast Atlantic, from Cape Agulhas to East London in South Africa. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Continental shelf, from close inshore to deeper water, up to 560 ft.; southeast Atlantic
Length: 17 in.
Diet: Fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Yellowish-brown above, with vertical dark brown stripes and dusky saddles; cream underside
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Tiger Shark Galeocerdo cuvier
The Tiger Shark, so named for its dark stripes, is the second largest predatory shark after the great white. The solitary, often nocturnal hunter embarks on seasonal migrations of up to 1,430 miles.
Habitat: Tropical and temperate regions
Length: 13-20 ft. Weight
Diet: Fish, seals, smaller sharks, squid, birds and turtles
Color: Striped when immature; gray-brown above, and white on the underside
Conservation level: Near Threatened
Tope Shark Galeorhinus galeus
The agile Tope Shark is typically long-lived, with a lifespan of up to 50 years. However, the species is currently vulnerable to extinction as it is highly prized for its fins, which are used in shark fin soup in Asia.
Habitat: Continental and insular shelves, also upper slopes, up to 1,500 ft.; temperate and subtropical waters worldwide
Length: 4-4.5 ft.
Diet: Small fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans
Color: Bronze or gray-brown above, white underside
Conservation level: Vulnerable
Tropical Australian Sawshark Pristiophorus sp. B
The biology of the Tropical Australian Sawshark is virtually unknown. The species is endemic to northeastern Australia at depths between 980 and 1,300 feet. Sawsharks, though similar in appearance, are in distinct from sawfish. Sawsharks bear a long snout, edged with large and small teeth, which they utilize to disable their prey.
Habitat: Continental shelf and upper slope, up to 1,300 ft.; eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 2-3 ft.
Diet: Not specified
Color: Uniformly pale yellow-brown above, white underside
Conservation level: Least Concern
Tropical Izak Holohalaelurus melanostigma
The Tropical Izak is a very rare and virtually unknown cat shark, found in the western Indian Ocean off Mozambique and Tanzania. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Deepwater; up to 2,165 feet; western Indian Ocean
Length: 14 in.
Diet: Small fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods
Color: Gray-brown above with small black spots, lighter underside
Conservation level: Data Deficient
Variegated Catshark Asymbolus submaculatus
The Variegated Catshark is endemic to the waters off New South Wales and western Australia, at depths between 90 and 656 feet. Catsharks are so named for their slender bodies and cat-like eyes. Despite being the largest family of sharks, Catsharks are relatively unknown. This may be attributed to a combination of both their nocturnal lifestyle and deepwater habitat.
Habitat: Temperate waters; up to 656 ft.; southwest Pacific Ocean, eastern Indian Ocean
Length: 16 in.
Diet: Crustaceans, squids, and small fishes
Color: Ornate patterns with multi-colored blotches
Conservation level: Least Concern