Filetail catshark
Parmaturus xaniurus
- Not on exhibit
- Animal type
- Sharks & rays
- Ecosystem
- Deep sea
- Relatives
- Skates, sharks and rays
- Diet
- Crustaceans, cephalopods, fishes
- Range
- Seafloor, 300 to 4,100 feet (90–1,250 m)
- Size
- To 2 feet long (60 cm)
Meet the filetail catshark
The filetail catshark gets its common name from the toothlike projections on its skin. Catsharks in general are relatively small, usually 12 to 39 inches long (30–100 cm), with flat heads and long, catlike eyes. Their teeth are very small and they have several rows of teeth in each jaw.
Did you know?
When a light shines on a catshark's eyes, they glow—much like a cat's eyes do. That's because cats and sharks have special light-sensitive eyes designed for hunting in near-darkness. A catshark is always on the prowl. When a fish or squid swims nearby, the catshark lunges with its mouth wide open—and makes a quick meal of its prey.
Conservation
Sharks, skates and rays live longer and produce fewer offspring than most other kinds of fishes, and that makes them particularly vulnerable to overfishing. Declining catch rates indicate that shark populations are rapidly decreasing in many parts of the world.
Cool facts
- It takes two years for catsharks to emerge from their egg cases.
Want to see amazing deep-sea creatures up close?
Visit our exhibition, Into the Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean (En lo Profundo: Explorando Nuestro Océano Desconocido).
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