Leopard shark
| Leopard shark | ||||||||||||
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Leopard shark ( Triakis semifasciata ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Triakis semifasciata | ||||||||||||
| Girard , 1855 |
The leopard shark ( Triakis semifasciata ) is a shark from the order of the basic sharks (Carcharhiniformes) that can reach a maximum length of about 2 meters . It lives close to the coast in the eastern Pacific from Oregon to the Gulf of California , mainly on sandy and muddy soils near rocks and in kelp forests at depths of one to 90 meters.
In addition to Triakis semifasciata , the zebra shark ( Stegostoma fasciatum ) is sometimes referred to as a leopard shark in German. Its spot pattern is much finer, it lives in the Indo-Pacific and, as a member of the nurse shark-like (Orectolobiformes), is not closely related to Triakis semifasciata .
features
Leopard sharks are slim, have a gray to bronze-colored base color and black saddle marks running across the back as well as other larger and smaller dark spots on the flanks. The maximum length of the males is 2 meters, that of the females 1.8 meters. The maximum published weight is 18.4 kg.
distribution
The range of this shark is in the north-eastern Pacific and stretches from the Oregon coast to the Gulf of California and Mexico . He lives at depths of 4 to 90 meters close to the ground.
Way of life
Leopard sharks are active swimmers whose bodies are in constant undulating motion. They often move in large nomadic groups with other shark species, such as the Glatthaiarten Mustelus californicus and Mustelus henlei and the spiny dogfish ( Squalus acanthias may be mixed).
The sharks have a wide range of food in which bottom-dwelling invertebrates such as crabs , shrimp , mussels , cephalopods and worms play a far more important role than prey fish. They reproduce ovoviviparously , the female gives birth to 4 to 29 young fish after a gestation period of twelve months, which are then eight inches in length. They grow very slowly and only reach their final size after ten years and can live to be 30 years old.
Leopard sharks and people
Leopard sharks are popular frogfish in California and are also fished commercially. Their meat comes fresh and smoked on the market. They are often shown in zoological gardens and large show aquariums. The leopard shark is classified in the IUCN Red List as a Least Concern.
literature
- Hans A. Baensch / Robert A. Patzner: Mergus Sea Water Atlas Volume 6 Non-Perciformes (Non-Perciformes) , Mergus-Verlag, Melle, ISBN 3-88244-116-X
Web links
- Leopard Shark on Fishbase.org (English)
- Triakis semifasciata in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2006. Posted by: Smith, SE, 2000. Accessed August 26 of 2006.
- Portrait at hai.ch