Speckled catshark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Speckled catshark |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Halaelurus
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| Species: |
boesemani
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The speckled catshark (Halaelurus boesemani) is a small shark. It is a type of catshark and belongs to the Scyliorhinidae family. You can find this shark in the Gulf of Aden and near the coast of Somalia. It lives deep in the ocean, usually between 37 and 250 meters (121 to 820 feet) down. This shark can grow up to 48 centimeters (about 19 inches) long.
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What It Looks Like (Description)
The speckled catshark can grow to be about 48 centimeters (19 inches) long. It has a pointy snout, which is its nose area. Its mouth is small, and its gill slits are slightly raised.
This shark has two dorsal fins on its back. The first dorsal fin starts above the back part of its pelvic fin. The second dorsal fin is about the same size as the first. It starts above the back part of its anal fin.
The shark's back and tail base have about eight dark, irregular markings. These look like saddle shapes. You can also see dark blotches on its dorsal and caudal fins. Many small dark spots cover its back, sides, and fins.
Where It Lives (Habitat)
The speckled catshark is found in the Gulf of Aden. It also lives off the coast of Somalia. There was once thought to be another group of these sharks. This group was believed to live from Viet Nam and the Philippines, through Indonesia, to Western Australia.
However, scientists now believe those are different, but similar, shark species. The speckled catshark is a demersal species. This means it lives near the bottom of the ocean. It prefers continental shelves and island shelves. It lives at depths between 37 and 250 meters (121 to 820 feet).
How It Reproduces (Life Cycle)
Scientists have not studied how this shark reproduces very much. They have found four egg cases inside a female shark. An egg case is like a protective shell for a shark egg.
It is not clear if the eggs hatch inside the mother. Or, if the egg cases are laid on the seabed. If they are laid, the baby sharks would develop there. When a young shark is born or hatches, it is about 7 centimeters (2.8 inches) long or more.
Protecting the Speckled Catshark (Status)
Not much research has been done on the speckled catshark. This means it is hard to know exactly what threats it faces. Fishing in Somalia is often not controlled. Foreign ships sometimes fish there illegally.
Local fishers probably do not try to catch this shark. This is because it is quite small. However, it can still get caught by accident. This happens when fishing boats use nets or trawls for other fish. This accidental catch is called bycatch.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) studies animals. They say there is not enough information to understand what this fish needs to be safe. Because of this, they have listed the speckled catshark as "vulnerable." This means it could become endangered if its situation does not improve.
