The Cuban ribbontail catshark is a rare finback catshark named for its ribbon-like tail.
Cuban Ribbontail Catshark Scientific Classification |
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Kingdom | Animalia |
Phylum | Chordata |
Class | Chondrichthyes |
Order | Carcharhiniformes |
Family | Proscylliidae |
Genus | Eridacnis |
Scientific Name | E. barbouri |
Description
These sharks are 13.38 inches long, making them a relatively small species. Its slender body ends in a ribbon-like caudal fin that acts as its namesake.
It has a light greyish-brown coloration, with the dorsal fins having light edges and the caudal fin having a series of faint dark bands.
Where do they live
Map Of The Cuban Ribbontail Catshark’s Habitat
As its name indicates, the Cuban ribbontail shark swims along the northwestern Atlantic off the northern coast of Cuba. It has also been spotted in the Florida Straights.
They are a deep water species dwelling between 1411 and 2011 feet on the upper continental and insular slopes on the bottom.
Behavior
Feeding
While their exact diet isn’t known, it most likely consists of cephalopods, crustaceans, and small bony fish.
Reproductive
They are an ovoviviparous species, giving birth to a litter of 2 pups. At birth, each pup is about 4 inches long.
Interactions with humans
The IUCN lists this shark as “Least Concern” or “LC”.