Hemipristis elongatus (Snaggletooth shark)

(Klunzinger, 1871)

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia > Chordata > Craniata > Vertebrata (vertebrates)  > Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) > Chondrichthyes > Elasmobranchii > Galeomorphii > Carcharhiniformes > Hemigaleidae

Hemipristis elongatus (Snaggletooth shark) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]

Identification

A slender light grey or bronzy shark with a broadly rounded long snout, large curved saw-edged upper teeth, hooked lower teeth that protrude from its mouth, long gill slits, strongly curved fins, and no prominent markings.

Size

To 2.4 m TL.

Range

East coast off Natal; Indian Ocean and western Pacific.

Habitat

Tropics off sandy beaches and probably shallow bays, from the surf line to 30 m.

Biology

Rare in the area but common to abundant elsewhere. Bears 6 to 8 young. Feeds on bony fish.

Human Impact

None.

Text by Leonard J.V. Compagno, David A. Ebert and Malcolm J. Smale