HORN SHARK (Heterodontus francisci)
Habitat: Rocky reefs and kelp forests
from Central California to Baja
California.
Size: 1m (3.3 ft)
Position in food web: Carnivorous:
Feeds on small fish, crabs, squid,
mollusks, sea urchins and anemones.
Prey for elephant seals and the occasional
bald eagle.
Interesting facts:
Horn sharks are nocturnal and can
often be found sleeping during the
day in rock crevices, caves or algae,
often returning to the same shelter
every day.
Horn sharks are named for the large horns in front of each dorsal fin. These horns are
used for protection against predators.
The scientific name Heterodontus is Greek meaning ―mixed tooth.‖ They have sharp
pointy teeth in the front and crushing molar-like teeth in the back.
Relatives: skates and rays
LEOPARD SHARK (Triakis semifasciata)
Habitat: Various habitats from Oregon
to Baja California.
Size: 2.1m (7 ft)
Position in food web: Carnivorous:
Feeds on fish, shrimp, clam siphons and
crabs. Prey for larger sharks and
humans.
Interesting facts:
Leopard sharks can give birth to 4-33
live young with embryos staying in
the female for 10-12 months
Although leopard sharks can be large in size, they are not a threat to humans and
usually swim away in our presence
A schooling shark, known to aggregate with dogfish and smoothounds
Relatives: skates and rays
ROUND STINGRAY (Urobatis halleri)
Habitat: Sandy bottoms to depths of 23 m from Northern California to
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ide/SharksRays/5562724_AdjPc/1/347918636_rJJwD/L
arge.
Size: 56 cm (22 in)
Position in food web: Carnivorous: Young
rays feed on worms, shrimps, crabs, and
amphipods while adults prefer clams. Prey
for larger fish, sharks and elephant seals.
Interesting facts:
Like all other true stingrays the round
stingray is equipped with a poison-tipped
barb (spine) near the end of its tail. If
attacked or stepped on, the round stingray
will stab the spine into the aggressor as an
act of self-defense.
The poison of the round stingray is not dangerous to humans, however it is extremely
painful. If stung by a stingray, the best course of action is to soak the affected area in
very hot water to denature the poison.
Females can give birth to 8 young (with 3 being the average) and they measure
approximately 4 inches at birth
Relatives: sharks, guitarfish, and chimeras
SWELL SHARK (Cephaloscyllium ventriosum)
Habitat: Various habitats from Central
California to Mexico
Size: 1 m (3.3 ft)
Position in food web: Carnivorous: Feeds
on crustaceans, mollusks and several
species of fish. Prey for elephant seals and
larger sharks.
Interesting facts:
Swell sharks lay eggs made of keratin
and the young shark develops inside
the egg (oviparous). Females lay two
eggs per clutch and they hatch in about
8 – 10 months
Sharks are about 6 inches when they hatch
When threatened, swell sharks can inflate their bodies to twice their normal size by
swallowing water
Relatives: rays, chimeras, and guitarfish
THORNBACK RAY (Platyrhinoidis triseriata)
Habitat: Sandy bottoms to 150 m from
Northern California to Baja California.
Size: 1m (3.3 ft)
Position in food web: Carnivorous: Feeds on
crabs, shrimp, worms, and clams. Prey for
larger fish and elephant seals.
Interesting facts:
The thornback ray lacks the spine common
to stingrays and instead has three rows of
serrated spines running the length of the
dorsal surface.
Some anglers call this fish the ―banjo
shark‖ because it looks like the instrument
Relatives: Sharks, skates, and rays