Atlantic sharpnose shark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atlantic sharpnose shark |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Rhizoprionodon
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| Species: |
terraenovae
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| Range of the Atlantic sharpnose shark | |
The Atlantic sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) is a type of requiem shark. These sharks belong to the Carcharhinidae family. You can find them in the warm, subtropical waters of the northwestern Atlantic Ocean. They live between 43°N and 18°N latitude.
Contents
About the Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
The Atlantic sharpnose shark is a smaller shark compared to many others. It usually grows to about 91 to 99 centimeters (around 3 feet) long. The longest one ever found was about 110 to 120 centimeters (around 4 feet) long. These sharks can live for up to 12 years in the wild. Young Atlantic sharpnose sharks have a special feature. Their dorsal (top) and caudal (tail) fins have black edges. This helps to tell them apart from older sharks.
Where They Live
Atlantic sharpnose sharks can be found from New Brunswick, Canada, all the way south to the Gulf of Mexico. Some reports of them in Brazil are likely mistaken. Those might be a different shark, the Brazilian sharpnose shark. These sharks like to live in warm, shallow coastal waters. They are often found in water less than 10 meters (about 33 feet) deep. However, some have been seen in much deeper water, up to 280 meters (about 918 feet) deep.
What They Eat
The Atlantic sharpnose shark's diet mainly includes bony fish, worms, shrimp, crabs, and mollusks. Some common fish they eat are menhaden, eels, silversides, wrasses, jacks, toadfish, and filefish. They are not picky eaters and enjoy a variety of sea creatures.
How They Grow Up
Atlantic sharpnose sharks are born at a length of about 29 to 37 centimeters (11 to 15 inches). For the first three months, they grow quickly. They gain about 5 centimeters (2 inches) in length each month. During winter and spring, their growth slows down. They grow about 0.9 centimeters (0.35 inches) per month. This slower growth continues until they reach 60 to 65 centimeters (24 to 26 inches) long. After that, their growth speeds up again. They grow about 1.3 centimeters (0.5 inches) per month for about a year.
Male sharks become adults when they are 2 to 3 years old. At this age, they are about 80 to 85 centimeters (31 to 33 inches) long. Females mature a little later, at 2.5 to 3.5 years old. They are usually around 84 to 89 centimeters (33 to 35 inches) long when they become adults.
How They Reproduce
Female Atlantic sharpnose sharks are viviparous. This means they give birth to live young, just like mammals. They usually have a litter of four to six pups. Sometimes, they can have as few as one or as many as seven pups. The mother carries the pups for 10 to 11 months before they are born. The baby sharks are usually between 29 and 37 centimeters (11 to 15 inches) long at birth. Females are often found in marine estuaries (where rivers meet the sea) during late spring. They tend to breed throughout the year.
Living in Aquariums
Atlantic sharpnose sharks are generally better suited for large public aquariums. They can also be cared for by very experienced private shark keepers. These sharks are very active swimmers. They need a lot of space to move around. They also do best when they are in small groups of at least three sharks. Tanks or ponds that are round or oval-shaped are best for them. In captivity, they have been known to live for at least 4 years.
Images for kids
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Top view of an Atlantic sharpnose shark
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Bottom view of the shark's head
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The jaws of an Atlantic sharpnose shark
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Close-up of the shark's upper teeth
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Close-up of the shark's lower teeth
See also
In Spanish: Cazón de playa para niños
