The Leopard Shark, scientifically known as Triakis semifasciata, is a fascinating and common shark species found along the coasts of the Pacific Ocean. This shark is a captivating sight with its distinctive markings and intriguing behavior.
Description & Characteristics
The Leopard Shark is easily recognizable due to its unique leopard-like pattern of dark brown spots and blotches on a light gray to brown background. This pattern is particularly noticeable on the dorsal and tail fins. This shark can grow up to a maximum size of 198.0 cm, but typically reaches sizes of 1.2 to 1.5 meters. They have a robust and somewhat elongated body shape with a pointed snout and large eyes. Their fins are relatively small, except for the pectoral fins which are quite broad.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Leopard Shark is a benthic species, which means it primarily lives on or near the bottom of the ocean floor. They have a wide depth range, occurring from the lower limit of the intertidal zone to the shelf edge at about 200 m water depth, inhabiting the subtidal, sublittoral, infralittoral, and deep zone of the oceans. This adaptable species is classified as neritic, thriving in coastal waters and the continental shelf.
Taxonomy
The Leopard Shark, Triakis semifasciata, belongs to the family Triakidae, a diverse group of sharks commonly known as the “houndsharks” or “smooth-hounds”. This family is further categorized under the Order Carcharhiniformes, which includes a wide variety of sharks, and ultimately falls under the Class Elasmobranchii, which encompasses all sharks, rays, and skates.
Feeding
The Leopard Shark is an opportunistic predator, feeding on a wide variety of prey found on the ocean floor. Their diet includes a variety of invertebrates such as clams, crabs, crustaceans, sea urchins, starfish, and snails. They also prey on small fish, shrimp, lobsters, and occasionally even cephalopods like squid and octopus. The Leopard Shark’s feeding habits are crucial to maintaining a healthy balance within the marine ecosystem.
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