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The leopard shark has a relatively broad and short snout. Features species details, pictures and external links for further information.
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Leopard Shark
The leopard shark has a relatively broad and short snout. The prominent rounded dorsal fin of this shark originates over the inner margins of its pectoral fins. The second dorsal fin is pointed and averages about three-quarters the size of the first dorsal fin. The anal fin is diminutive in comparison to the leopard shark's second dorsal fin. The pectoral fins of the leopard shark are rather broad and roughly triangular in shape.
The upper lobe of the tail is notched and elongated. The leopard shark could possibly be mistaken for the swell shark (Cephaloscyllium ventriosum), which is reddish-brown and has a flattened head.
Leopard Shark (Triakis semifasciata)
The leopard shark is a strong swimmer and lives in bay environments, near the shore, and sometimes in the open ocean. It is long (up to seven feet), slender, and silver or brown with black saddles across its back and black blotches along its sides. It can be seen during the day, most of the year. During the summer months -- June, July and August - leopard sharks gather together in the shallow water off the coast of San Diego.
This shark feeds on benthic (living on or near the sea bottom) prey such as worms, clams, crabs, shrimp, octopus, and small fish. It has small, pointed teeth, which it uses to capture its prey.
The leopard shark is ovoviviparous. This means the female gives birth to live young that have developed from eggs hatched inside her body. The young are usually born in spring. This shark is not considered dangerous to people, though any animal will bite if bothered. The leopard shark is also called a cat shark.
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