Odontaspis ferox (Bumpytail raggedtooth)

(Risso, 1810)

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

Odontaspis ferox (Bumpytail raggedtooth) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]

Identification

A large, bulky grey shark with a long, bulbous, conical snout, moderately large eyes, protruding teeth, and 2nd dorsal and anal fins smaller than 1st dorsal. 1st dorsal fin closer to pectoral fins than pelvic fins. Grey below, sometimes with red spots on sides.

Size

To 3.6 m

TL. Range

East coast off Natal; sporadic in temperate and tropical seas. Habitat Upper slope near bottom at 400-420 m here.

Biology

Rare and poorly known here; feeds on small bony fish, squid, and shrimp. Human Impact None.

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