The Pacific sharpnose shark is a species of requiem shark living along the coasts of the eastern Pacific.
Pacific Sharpnose Shark Scientific Classification |
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| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Chondrichthyes |
| Order | Carcharhiniformes |
| Family | Carcharhinidae |
| Genus | Rhizoprionodon |
| Scientific Name | R. longurio |
Description
The maximum length of this shark is 4.25 ft. On average, females are larger than males. Its body is slender, with a long and pointed snout. There are long furrows around the edges of the shark’s mouth, while inside the mouth are a series of narrow-cusped small teeth in both jaws.
When looked at from above, these sharks are bronze or grey-brown and are white when looked at from below. The posterior margins of pectoral fins have pale edges, while the upper caudal lobe is black or dusky.
Where do they live
Map Of The Pacific Sharpnose Shark’s Habitat
This shark lives in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, with sightings ranging from southern California to Peru. Its depth range is up to 88 ft, though it may move to deeper waters in the summer.
They prefer dwelling on the soft muddy, sandy bottom in warm tropical and temperate waters.
Behavior
Feeding
It feeds on bony fish and crustaceans.
Reproductive
These sharks are viviparous, i.e., they give live birth to a litter of 1-12 pups after a gestation period of 10-12 months.
Interactions with humans
The IUCN lists this shark as “Vulnerable” or “VU” because it is susceptible to overfishing and gets caught by bottom long lines and gillnets.
