spotted shark species belonging family found shallow waters southern south_africa favoring sandy areas near rocky reefs active swimming species usually stays close robust shark reaches length large rounded fins pectoral fins particular broad shaped adults short blunt snout long furrows mouth species gray bronze color variable amounts black spotting mainly active night feeds crustaceans bony fishes cephalopods observed gathering groups shallow water possibly reproductive purposes species viviparous meaning young sustained mainly yolk females birth pups late august year cycle hooked recreational captured commercial small range low growth reproductive rates vulnerable listed species taxonomy phylogeny scottish zoologist originally described species work account based specimens caught cape good hope south_africa smith named shark greek mega large wing referring large fins common shark sweet later authors reassigned genus specifically subgenus alongside spotted phylogenetic study colleagues based protein gene sequences found species group leopard shark instead formed clade lineage result suggests closely related warrant genus description stout bodied species short thick blunt snout nostrils widely spaced preceded lobe like flaps skin reach mouth horizontally oval eyes ridges underneath equipped membranes large mouth bears long deep furrows corners lower jaw meeting middle teeth small tightly packed form pavement like surfaces tooth rounded like base rises sharp upright central rarely pair barely developed lateral present pairs gill slits fins large rounded tips pectoral fins adults broad shaped dorsal fins nearly vertical trailing margins originating pectoral fin rear tips second dorsal fin quarters high anal fin smaller second dorsal fin originates short thick caudal lacks caudal fin origins caudal fin small defined lower lobe longer upper lobe ventral notch near tip skin loose species dark gray bronze white young sharks unmarked adults vary plain densely covered irregular black spots reach length weight females grow larger males distribution habitat range limited coastal waters southern africa southern rarely south_africa locally common species inhabits sandy habitats bays found surf zone depth majority found deeper generally barely favoring flat areas near rocky reefs seldom rises open water biology ecology highly active species found resting inside rocky mainly hunts night known pursue prey shore pointed teeth allow grasp slippery prey broad bases allow crush hard shelled prey shark feeds variety crustaceans crabs bony fishes including sea drums cephalopods particular octopus sharks rays including egg minor food source larger individuals south_africa important prey species crab composition changes age young sharks long completely crabs larger sharks consume bony fishes cephalopods greater variety prey overall shark observed nocturnal habits feed squid mass shark known prey species summer forms groups shallow water particularly documented related reproduction given presence pregnant females viviparous developing embryos mainly yolk mature females single functional functional litters pups late august following gestation period months larger females tend produce larger litters length birth variously estimated different sources pups single litter vary size females apparently reproduce years years depending eggs developing pregnancy allow mate months giving birth slow growing species sexes following similar growth pattern males mature sexually long years age females mature sexually long years age maximum lifespan years human interactions harmless humans captivity displayed public frequently caught recreational shore ski boats edible rarely eaten small numbers caught incidentally commercial fishery targeting school shark meat sharks caught fishery sold locally exported fresh frozen italy taiwan south_africa listed species harvested commercially mistaken common smooth assessed species highly susceptible moderate levels fishing pressure restricted range slow growth rate low fact sharks caught immature additional source concern
Sharptooth houndshark