We do not yet know much about the reproductive strategies of sharks and rays. Sharks have probably been very successful through evolution because they have adapted their reproduction to many different conditions. Many sharks bear live young (viviparity), others lay eggs (oviparity). Several shark species mate the entire year, others prefer certain seasons and regions. … Read more
There are over 470 species of sharks and most of them are rarely seen, even by marine biologists. But you should definitely know about these beauties! Goblin Shark The goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni) was first described in 1898, although Japanese fishermen already knew it as tengu-zame, which is a mythical goblin with a long nose. … Read more
Sharks are living in a changing ocean… Understanding how sharks sense and interact with their environment is vital for sustaining populations of these marine predators, which support the health of oceans around the world. Overfishing is the greatest known threat, but pollution and other environmental changes may affect the natural signals that sharks need for … Read more
Not all sharks live in open water and look really ‘sharky’. Many shark species have a more exotic look and wait for their prey in lair. One of those is the tasseled wobbegong. When prey swims by, it opens its large mouth and swallows it. And that prey can sometimes indeed be a shark… This … Read more
The tresher shark (Alopias vulpinus) is a member of the family of the tresher sharks (Alopiidae) and the order of the mackerel sharks (Lamniformes). It is named for its long, elegant tail, which can be as long as the rest of its body and can be used to stun prey by hitting it. The tresher shark … Read more
The tope shark is a member of the family of the hound sharks (Triakidae) and the order of the Carcharhiniformes. This shark, that is also called school shark or soupfin shark, can be found in colder and temperature waters around the globe, from the shallow waters along the beach until the open water. Tope sharks live in small … Read more
The starry smooth-hound is a member of the family of the hound sharks (Triakidae) and the ground sharks (Carcharhiniformes). This streamlined shark can be found close to shores, but also further out in the sea, from the tidal zone to at least a depth of 100 meters. The smooth hound prefers swimming just off the seafloor, where … Read more
The spiny dogfish is a member of the dogfishes (Squalidae) and the bramble, sleeper, and dogfish sharks (Squaliformes). The spiny dogfish lives in both sea and brackish waters. This shark prefers temperate climates en is widely distributed in the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean. The spiny dogfish is also often observed in the Mediterranean and North Sea. … Read more
The small-spotted catshark is a member of the family of the catsharks (Scyliorhinidae) and the order of the ground sharks (Carcharhiniformes). This catshark species lives in colder and temperate waters, where it looks for food on sandbanks, up to depths of 85 m. It is primarily nocturnal, preying on fish, crustaceans and mollusks. De small-spotted … Read more
The porbeagle is a member of the family of mackerel sharks (Lamnidae) and the order of the Lamniformes. This shark frequents the upper layers of cooler waters and is rarely caught deeper than 150 meters. It is a fast swimmer which can sometimes be observed just under the water surface, where it hunts for fish species like … Read more