milk shark milk shark species requiem shark family common comes indian belief consumption meat promotes largest widely distributed member genus milk shark typically measures long found coastal tropical waters eastern atlantic regions occurring surface depth species common near beaches recorded swimming rivers juveniles known inhabit tidal pools meadows milk shark slender body long pointed snout large eyes gray white shark distinguished similar species range long furrows corners mouth seven enlarged pores abundant sharks range milk shark feeds primarily small bony fishes takes cephalopods crustaceans turn falls prey larger sharks possibly marine mammals common members family species viviparous developing embryos sustained connection females birth young defined breeding season year depending location reproductive cycle usually annual large numbers milk sharks caught commercial fisheries countries meat fins despite assessed species concern wide distribution relatively high productivity seemingly allow present levels exploitation sustained taxonomy phylogeny german naturalist published scientific description milk shark specific epithet means sharp latin des fishes red sea listed different genera including finally placed genus type species mention type specimen designated male caught saudi_arabia species common milk shark comes belief held india eating shark meat names species include fish shark grey dog shark little blue shark milk dog shark sharp milk shark sharp shark white eye shark phylogenetic analysis based found milk shark basal species examined extinct known deposits southern france portugal distribution habitat milk shark widest distribution species found southern italy indian_ocean occurs south_africa madagascar northward eastward south southeast_asia pacific_ocean species occurs china southern japan philippines indonesia new_guinea northern australia milk shark likely distribution way eastern atlantic sharks isolated sharks collision asia africa occurring close shore surf zone depth milk shark favors water sandy beaches occasionally enters western australia juvenile milk sharks inhabit meadows composed antarctica sources state species avoids low reported times fresh water far upstream milk sharks found water column surface south_africa numbers annually peak summer suggesting form seasonal movement description largest member genus west_africa milk shark reported reach males females uncertainty species identity specimens accepted figures considered exceptional individuals exceed length generally females heavier attain greater maximum size males milk shark slender build long pointed snout large round eyes membranes protective head corner jaw usually seven enlarged pores nostrils small adjacent triangular skin flaps long furrows corners mouth upper lower jaws tooth rows number jaws upper teeth finely strongly oblique lower teeth similar shape smaller tips curve gently upward teeth juveniles smooth edged broad triangular pectoral fins originate fourth gill slits longer margin dorsal fin anal fin twice long second dorsal fin preceded long ridges dorsal fin originates pectoral fin free rear tips smaller second dorsal fin originates anal fin base dorsal fins ridge lower lobe caudal fin developed upper lobe ventral notch near tip shark plain gray brown gray purple gray white leading edge dorsal fin trailing edge caudal fin dark trailing edges pectoral fins light biology ecology abundant near shore sharks range milk shark feeds mainly small benthic schooling bony fishes occasionally squid octopus crabs shrimp taken important prey herring local shark species found beds avoided sharks feeds mainly herring major predator smaller sharks eat cephalopods crustaceans switching fish grow older predators feed milk shark including larger sharks shark australian shark possibly marine mammals large sharks use protect beaches led recent increase milk shark numbers known parasite species evidence male female milk sharks life history like requiem sharks milk shark viviparous females usually single functional left functional divided separate compartments embryo details life history vary different parts range females generally produce young year birth year year mating place spring early summer april july western southern africa winter india alternately occurs year round peak spring occurs continuously australian waters number peaks april july proposed explanation lack reproductive complex reproductive cycle detected period development presently evidence occurring females store sperm internally litter size ranges typical increasing female size waters females average males litter female litters uncommon similar extreme sex reported litters milk sharks eastern india reason unknown observed related species atlantic shark gestation embryos takes year proceeds phases phase lasting months length embryo relies yolk gas exchange occurs surface possibly yolk sac second phase lasts months length external gill develop yolk sac begins substance mother meantime phase lasting months depleted yolk sac converted connection receives birth young sharks typically born length weigh record female caught mumbai carrying long nearly fully developed long gestation complete pregnant females use nursery areas birth taking advantage warmer waters abundant food known nursery areas include national park cleveland bay australia large groups small milk sharks found shallow tidal pools beds sheltered predators dense tall vegetation sharks coastal mature males female milk sharks mature lengths respectively west_africa respectively southern africa respectively maturation size result regional variation incidental selection heavy fishing pressure growth rate milk sharks calculated year second year year fourth year fifth year year age maturation thought years maximum lifespan years human interactions milk shark harmless humans small size teeth caught hook line shark marketed fresh dried human consumption shark fin soup abundance makes significant component commercial fisheries range northern australia ranks common sharks caught comprises annual catches respectively species commercially important sharks caught india sport regard game fish listed milk shark concern despite heavily wide distribution remains fairly common reproductive characteristics species suggests capable somewhat high level exploitation grey shark australian shark 1980s early 1990s stock assessments milk shark india coast concluded catches fisheries maximum sustainable level studies based subsequently proven unreliable shark populations fishing pressure region increased substantially assessments conducted
Milk shark