Spotted Houndshark

The spotted houndshark lives in the eastern Pacific off the coasts of South America.

Spotted Houndshark Scientific Classification

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Chondrichthyes
Order Carcharhiniformes
Family Triakidae
Genus Triakis
Scientific Name T. maculata

Description

On average, this shark is about 71 inches long, though there have been specimens that are as long as 94 inches. It has a rounded snout and lobed nasal skin flaps that are separated. There are long grooves in the upper lobe of the shark’s lips.

The spotted houndshark has teeth with straight erect cusps. Its pectoral fins are broadly falcate, and its first dorsal fin has a sloping posterior margin.

Its body is covered with black spots on its dorsal region.

Where do they live

Map Of The Spotted Houndshark’s Habitat

Spotted Houndshark Habitat Map

This shark dwells in the eastern Pacific, from the Galapagos Islands and Peru south to the north of Chile. They live in coastal regions in both tropical and temperate waters.

Behavior

Feeding

It feeds on crustaceans.

Reproductive

Very little is known about the reproductive behavior of this shark, except for the fact it is ovoviviparous. Most information about its reproduction comes from a specimen with a litter of 14 pups, each about 12 to 16 inches long.

Interactions with humans

These sharks are commonly caught for human consumption by both artisanal fishers and trawlnets. As a result, the IUCN classified the spotted houndshark as “Critically Endangered” or “CR”.

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