Pelagic thresher – Alopias pelagicus

Alopias pelagicus, commonly known as the pelagic thresher shark, is a species of thresher shark that inhabits warm and temperate waters across the globe. It is easily recognized by its distinctive long, whip-like upper tail fin, which can be as long as its body. This unique feature allows the shark to stun its prey before consuming it.

Description & Characteristics

The pelagic thresher shark is a slender, streamlined shark with a long, pointed snout and large, almond-shaped eyes. Its dorsal fin is located near the head, and the pectoral fins are relatively small. As mentioned, the most striking feature of this shark is its extremely long, whip-like upper tail fin, which can reach up to 428.0 cm in length. This fin is used to stun prey by striking it with its powerful tail. Adults typically reach a maximum length of 3.8 meters.

Habitat and Occurrence

Alopias pelagicus is a pelagic species, meaning it lives in the open ocean, far from the coast. It is found in warm and temperate waters worldwide, with a depth range of 0.0 to 300.0 meters. The shark prefers to inhabit the epipelagic and mesopelagic zones, which are the upper layers of the ocean. It is a common sight in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, where it is often observed swimming near the surface or cruising through deep water.

Taxonomy

The species Alopias pelagicus belongs to the Class: Elasmobranchii, Order: Lamniformes, and Family: Alopiidae. The Elasmobranchii class encompasses all cartilaginous fishes, including sharks, rays, and skates. The Order Lamniformes, often called mackerel sharks, is a group of sharks that includes several commercially important species. The family Alopiidae, or thresher sharks, is comprised of three species that are all distinguished by their incredibly long upper tail fins.

Feeding

Alopias pelagicus is an opportunistic predator that feeds primarily on small fish, squid, and crustaceans. To catch its prey, the shark uses its long tail fin to stun them. It will then swallow the stunned prey whole. The shark’s diet varies depending on its location and the availability of prey. It has also been observed to feed on seabirds and other marine mammals on occasion.