shark shark striped species family endemic coastal waters south_africa abundant dwelling species found zone depth particularly rocky reefs beds series thick parallel dark stripes running stout body shark appearance additionally characterized short head snout pair slender reach mouth dorsal fins placed far body grow length long shark primarily nocturnal spending day lying hidden cave vegetation forms groups particularly summer species predator feeds wide variety fishes invertebrates favors cephalopods spawning grounds squid threatened circle tail covering head reproduction females laying rectangular dark brown egg cases time year round small harmless shark captivity commonly displayed public caught commercial recreational fisheries killed regard data suggesting numbers declined assessed shark expanding small shark fishery activities limited range taxonomy shark originally described german naturalist thirteenth edition designate type specimen scottish physician zoologist created new genus species related leopard time believed multiple species shark type species genus american zoologist distribution habitat dwelling temperate waters shark found south_africa cape_town north abundant venture far west east old records mauritius madagascar certainly erroneous shark commonly encountered shallow waters deep occurs depths reported favors rocky reefs beds description shark larger thicker bodied species growing long weight sexes grow roughly maximum size head snout short slightly flattened narrowly outline viewed split tiny openings skin shape central lobe forming long conical thicker leopard reach mouth eyes horizontally oval placed high head rudimentary membranes protective thick ridge running underneath sizable mouth forms broad arch short furrows extending corners upper lower jaws upper teeth exposed mouth closed tooth rows upper lower jaws respectively teeth slender central flanked pair small adult males slightly thicker females body fairly compressed tail dorsal fins placed far originates rear pelvic fins second originates anal fin dorsal larger second pectoral fins large broad pelvic fins lower bases equal length adult males pair short thick inner margins pelvic fins partially fused form apron short broad caudal fin indistinct lower lobe ventral notch near tip upper lobe skin thick bears dermal denticles shaped crown posterior points mounted short stalk dorsal coloration distinctive consisting thick parallel dark stripes running snout caudal grayish brownish background stripes broken near tail belly sharks main stripe fork eye stripes split lighter central lines large dark spots present underside pale light gray spotting clearly flank color young sharks resemble adults lighter darker stripes specimen recorded biology ecology slow swimming shark spends day resting caves emerging night actively forage food individuals single spot particularly summer species falls prey larger sharks fish frequently consumed shark threatened circle tail covering head similar fashion eggs fed pierce outer covering extract yolk like sharks shark maintains balance environment regulating internal concentration experiments shown shark capacity dependent fed shark feeds wide variety small animals including bony fishes smaller sharks rays egg cases crustaceans cephalopods worms known fish cephalopods composition predator generally reflects locally available prey types example cape rock important food source followed cephalopods fish sharks observed seizing tearing octopus twisting motion occasion sharks seen attacking octopus simultaneously manner mass squid occur year round peak october december sharks nocturnal habits gather substantial numbers inside egg beds daytime sharks conceal heads egg masses stripes break outlines bodies female squid descend sea floor attach eggs guarded males vulnerable sharks ambush attacks species male female sharks active year adult females single functional functional single egg time egg contained tough rectangular dark brown capsule long long corners enable female capsule underwater structures algae eggs maintained hatch approximately half months hatching shark measuring long males females begin mature sexually long respectively sharks adult length human interactions common south african shark harmless humans difficult approach underwater small size attractive appearance popularly exhibited public trade supports small fishery targeting species similar leopard large numbers sharks caught incidentally commercial fisheries beach readily hooked recreational especially summer aggregate edible discarded bait toll taken fishery likely greatly use line gear regard sharks steal bait kill listed shark citing small distribution recent increase fishing pressure small sharks region evidence suggest population declined specific conservation measures place species range encompasses marine reserves south african sea fisheries research institute considering legally shark limit degree targeted commercial fisheries
Pyjama shark