leopard shark leopard shark species family found pacific_coast north_america state oregon mexico typically measuring long slender bodied shark immediately identifiable striking pattern black saddle like markings large spots derives common large schools leopard sharks common sight bays swimming sandy muddy flats rock areas near beds reefs common near coast water deep active swimming predators groups leopard sharks follow tide forage food mainly worms crabs shrimp bony fish fish eggs leopard sharks tend remain particular area undertaking long movements led genetic divergence populations sharks living different regions species viviparous meaning young hatch inside yolk march june female gives birth young gestation period months relatively slow growing takes years mature harmless humans leopard shark caught commercial recreational fisheries food trade species waters california period population decline 1980s new fishing regulations early 1990s reduced harvesting sustainable levels assessed species concern noting local stocks easily shark slow growth limited migratory habits taxonomy phylogeny scientific applied leopard shark coined british zoologist list specimens fish collection gray proper description rendering december american gave lecture describing species included scientific description species lecture reprinted pacific san_francisco newspaper journal proceedings april french biologist published description species naming despite senior synonym error recording dates publication resulted widespread use leopard shark scientific result long standing error came recognized valid specific epithet comes latin words semi half banded describing shark dorsal pattern saddle like markings older literature species referred tiger shark genus contains leopard shark placed subgenus banded phylogenetic analysis colleagues based protein genes revealed fact closely related additionally leopard shark basal member family distribution habitat leopard shark occurs cool warm continental waters northeastern pacific_ocean bay oregon mexico including favors muddy sandy flats enclosed bays encountered near beds rocky reefs open coast numbers known gather near warm power plants leopard sharks generally swim close abundant zone depth found deep leopard sharks particularly north leave coastal habitats winter return early spring study northern california determined depart water temperature drops tagged shark found south leopard sharks documented traveling hundreds kilometers individuals tend remain localized area lives low level dispersal led genetic divergence range seven gene pools identified coast san_diego isolated sharks larger size producing fewer offspring areas contrast area los_angeles represents genetic transitional zone boundaries baja california leopard sharks pacific probably distinct northern gulf california evidence returning birthplace breed species proximity established breeding grounds likely contributes different description leopard shark moderately stout body short rounded snout developed triangular flaps skin eyes large oval membrane protective line mouth strongly curved furrows corners mouth extending jaws lower jaw long meet tooth rows number upper jaw lower jaw tooth slightly oblique smooth edged center small teeth arranged flat pavement surface overlapping ridges large dorsal fin positioned halfway pectoral pelvic fins second large larger anal fin pectoral fins wide triangular lower lobe caudal fin developed adults half length upper lobe strong ventral notch near tip coloration unique consisting prominent black large black spots running gray background adult sharks spots lighter centers compared juveniles underside whitish plain average length leopard shark rarely males grow females record exceptional female measured long heaviest known leopard shark weighed biology ecology active species strong motion leopard shark commonly spotted cruising surf zone active night day lies leopard shark follows tide forage food retreating fast prevent stranded trapped water resident sharks spend day night disperse deeper water ranging away birth leopard sharks form large schools generally segregated age sex grey brown schools apparently nomadic appearing suddenly area hours quickly captivity larger sharks observed establishing dominance smaller individuals light pectoral fins summer days large mature females assemble shallow bays night females follow patches water allowing raise internal body temperatures speculated taking advantage heat speed growth young membership individual females periodically switching different sites scattered kilometers compared related grey brown share range leopard shark smaller numerous red blood cells allowing process oxygen efficiently adaptation foraging estuary environments eyes contain cone cells likely water inhabit small leopard sharks fall prey larger sharks great white shark shark occasion shark seen leopard shark tidal striking momentum larger predator momentarily beached known parasites species include barber feeding diet leopard shark consists small benthic animals significantly crabs shrimp bony fish including herring fish eggs fat worm hunter known eat ghost shrimp worms young bat rays algae incidentally leopard shark captures prey expanding cavity create force facilitated swinging forward form mouth tube simultaneously shark jaws forward grip prey teeth sharks teeth leopard shark periodically shed replaced takes days replacement tooth position leopard sharks caught filled sharks seize break motion bodies occasion shark tears entire body shell way sharks examined containing worms bite marks suggesting sharks hollow bridge support group leopard sharks observed feeding dense school slowly swimming clockwise swimming school accidentally entered open mouths places species feeds prey types little worms crabs jack eggs crabs predominant prey taken depends location time year age example bay crabs worms eaten winter spring fish eggs winter early summer bony fish summer crabs fall young sharks feed crabs transition fish eggs worms reach long largest sharks ones consume fish life history leopard shark viviparous developing embryos sustained yolk sac birth northern areas females use bays nursery areas south birth open areas known breeding grounds coast california include los_angeles harbor females birth young annually march july april number pups increasing female size females drop pups beds provide shelter food harbor females birth flats water backs dorsal fins exposed pups stay shallower water deep mating occurs early summer following birth known observation wild sharks gathered shore water deep newborn leopard sharks measure long relatively slow growing years life male leopard sharks grow average year reaching maturity age years length females grow average year reaching maturity age years length individuals age vary significantly size large sharks especially slow growing specimen documented gained length years maximum lifespan species estimated years human interactions wary quick flee leopard sharks pose danger humans single record leopard shark skin injuries resulted species caught commercial fisheries recreational caught meat considered excellent eating sold fresh frozen leopard sharks living alongside human development accumulate mercury bodies warns eating regularly leopard shark prized trade attractive appearance led newborn pups captured hook line southern california late 1980s early 1990s live years captivity fishing leopard sharks occurs waters california commercial landings peaked averaged annually figures believed unknown portion leopard shark catch recorded simply shark recent decades number sharks taken exceeded taken commercially sport catching average sharks year sharks year species contributes fishery landings oregon status leopard sharks mexico uncertain mexican shark fisheries tend focus larger species assessed leopard shark concern highly susceptible local slow growth rate low level exchange regional stocks considered managed imposed recreational minimum size limit possession limit fish strongly supported promoted sport fishing community state instituted minimum size limit commercial harvesting sharks rays including trade addition restrictions use certain types fishing gear near shore waters good protection shark core population management measures successfully reduced fishing mortality halted population decline 1980s status leopard shark california regarded secure demographic models estimating annual population increase sustainable fishing
Leopard shark