LEOPARD SHARKS

Leopard shark

Scientific name: Triakis Semifasciata
Common names: Leopard Shark, Tiburón Lopardo, Tollo Leopardo, Virli Léopard,Leopardhai, Tubarão-leopardo, more.
Conservation status: Least concern to Vulnerable (Depending on source)
Average length: 1.2-1.5m
Average lifespan: 20-30 years
Taxonomy: Elasmobranchii > Carcharhiniformes (Ground Sharks) > Triakidae (Hound Sharks) > Triakinae
Diet: Clams, fish eggs, fat inkeeper worms, & bony fish.
Habitat: Kelp forests & reefs from Oregon to Mazatlán (Incl. Gulf of California), keeping to shallow waters (typically only going as deep as 6m below sea level, but seen as far as 156m deep.)
Behaviors: Opportunistic bottom feeders, ovoviviparous birth, generally harmless and at times friendly with humans.
Defining features: "Strong cusps and cusplets on almost all teeth, teeth not semimolariform, lateroposterior ones bladelike, with strongly oblique cusps. First dorsal fin with posteroventrally sloping posterior margin; pectoral fins broadly triangular in adults. Total vertebral counts 129 to 150. Colour grey or bronzy-grey above, white below, with bold, large, broad black saddle-marks, becoming light-centred in adults, and scattered large black spots" (Source of description).

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Pub: 30 Mar 2025 19:16 UTC

Edit: 01 Apr 2025 05:30 UTC

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