Sixgill Shark
Common Names: Sixgill Shark, Bluntnose Sixgill Shark
Scientific Name: Hexanchus griseus
Size: Up to 8m
Found: Worldwide, deepwater, outer continental, insular shelves and upper slopes.
Population Status: Near Threatened (IUCN 2013)
Teeth:
Teeth are saw-like and comb shaped. Sixgill Sharks have 6 rows of teeth.
They come to the surface to feed at night on other sharks, rays, fish, squid, seals and carrion.
Reproduction:
Ovoviviparous (eggs hatch inside the mother and live young are born). Oviphagy also occurs, where pups eat unfertilised eggs and sometimes each other.
Litters may range from 22-108 pups which are 60-75cm in length at birth.
Interesting Facts:
Sixgill Sharks are in the cow shark order, Hexanchiformes. Which also includes; Bigeyed Sixgill Sharks, Sevengill Sharks and Sharpnose Sevengill Sharks.
They are threatened by fisheries, including hand lining, long lining, bottom and pelagic trawling, gill nets and also sports fishing. They are often caught as bycatch.
Teeth are saw-like and comb shaped. Sixgill Sharks have 6 rows of teeth.
They come to the surface to feed at night on other sharks, rays, fish, squid, seals and carrion.
Reproduction:
Ovoviviparous (eggs hatch inside the mother and live young are born). Oviphagy also occurs, where pups eat unfertilised eggs and sometimes each other.
Litters may range from 22-108 pups which are 60-75cm in length at birth.
Interesting Facts:
Sixgill Sharks are in the cow shark order, Hexanchiformes. Which also includes; Bigeyed Sixgill Sharks, Sevengill Sharks and Sharpnose Sevengill Sharks.
They are threatened by fisheries, including hand lining, long lining, bottom and pelagic trawling, gill nets and also sports fishing. They are often caught as bycatch.
