Salmon Shark
Common Name: Salmon Shark
Scientific Name: Lamna ditropis
Size: Approx. 3.0m
Found: Northern Pacific, coastal waters.
Population Status: Data Deficient (IUCN 2009)
Tooth Shape:
Needle like - used for grasping fish.Feed on Pacific Salmon, a variety of fish, squid and crabs.
Reproduction:
Ovoviviparous - eggs hatch inside the mother, and live young are born. After a 9-12 month gestation period. Between 2-6 pups are born. Reproduction occurs on a 2 year cycle.
The pups in the womb are oophagous - meaning they feed on ova (eggs) produced by the mother - similar to the Grey Nurse Shark.
Interesting Facts:
Salmon Sharks have the ability to regulate their body temperature. This may enable them to maintain their body temperature slightly higher than the water surrounding them - in some cases 8-11 degrees Celsius higher.
Salmon Sharks compete with the Salmon Fishing Industry, and are often killed for this. They are often caught as bycatch and deliberately killed.
They have never been associated with an attack on humans, and have been observed in groups by divers with no sign of aggressive or threatening behaviour.
Needle like - used for grasping fish.Feed on Pacific Salmon, a variety of fish, squid and crabs.
Reproduction:
Ovoviviparous - eggs hatch inside the mother, and live young are born. After a 9-12 month gestation period. Between 2-6 pups are born. Reproduction occurs on a 2 year cycle.
The pups in the womb are oophagous - meaning they feed on ova (eggs) produced by the mother - similar to the Grey Nurse Shark.
Interesting Facts:
Salmon Sharks have the ability to regulate their body temperature. This may enable them to maintain their body temperature slightly higher than the water surrounding them - in some cases 8-11 degrees Celsius higher.
Salmon Sharks compete with the Salmon Fishing Industry, and are often killed for this. They are often caught as bycatch and deliberately killed.
They have never been associated with an attack on humans, and have been observed in groups by divers with no sign of aggressive or threatening behaviour.