Scattered thornlike denticles on distributed on body and fins. Both dorsal fins far back. The origin of the first one is behind the origin of the pelvic fins. No anal fin.
Coloration
Grey to black.
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Massachusetts to Virginia. Argentina. Eastern Atlantic: Scotland, England to Ivory Coast. North Sea, Mediterranean, South Africa. Western Indian Ocean: southern Mozambique, India. Western Pacific: Japan, Australia, New Zealand.
Biology
Sluggish, bottom-living shark. Primarily a deepwater species found over continental and insular shelves and upper slopes down to 900 m.
Diet
Fishes, small sharks, and crabs.
Size
Maximum total length about 310 cm, average size between 200 cm and 250 cm.
Reproduction
Aplacental viviparous (ovoviviparous). 15 to 24 pups per litter. Size at birth varies, between 30 cm and 90 cm. Males reach sexual maturity between 150 cm and 170 cm, females between 215 cm and 230 cm.
Similar Species
Similar to the Prickly shark but that species has much smaller denticles.
Vulnerability
Category:Endangered (EN) Criteria:A2bd Last evaluated:2020 Trend:
