Pale ghost shark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pale ghost shark |
|
|---|---|
.gif) |
|
| Drawing by Dr Tony Ayling | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Hydrolagus
|
| Species: |
bemisi
|
The pale ghost shark (Hydrolagus bemisi) is a special type of fish. It belongs to a group called chimaeras. These are ancient fish related to sharks and rays.
This unique ghost shark lives only in the waters around New Zealand.
Contents
Discovering the Pale Ghost Shark
Scientists officially described the pale ghost shark in 2002. A scientist named Dominique A. Didier gave it its scientific name.
It was important to give this species an official name. This is because people started fishing for chimaeras more often. Knowing about each species helps protect them.
What Does the Pale Ghost Shark Look Like?
The pale ghost shark has a medium-sized body. It has a long, thin tail that looks like a whip. This fish can grow to be about 1.12 meters long.
You can tell it apart from other ghost sharks by its color. It is a pale, silvery color. It does not have any patterns or spots on its body.
Scientists think these sharks can live for 15 to 22 years. However, more research is needed to be sure about their exact age.
Where Do Pale Ghost Sharks Live?
The pale ghost shark is found only in New Zealand waters. This means it is endemic to that area.
You can often find them in deep ocean waters. They live at depths between 400 and 1100 meters. They are found from the West Norfolk Ridge all the way to the Campbell Plateau.
Protecting the Pale Ghost Shark
In 2018, the New Zealand Department of Conservation looked at the pale ghost shark. They decided it is "Not Threatened."
This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing. However, it is listed as "Conservation Dependent." This shows that some care is still needed to keep its population healthy.
