leopard leopard species family endemic coastal waters south_africa abundant waters deep favors rocky reefs beds sandy flats growing length leopard stout body dorsal fins placed short head tail extremely variable color pattern individuals ranging white black covered diverse patterns black spots lines color pattern changes age forms location specific suggesting presence multiple distinct local populations past distinct color forms described different species mainly nocturnal habits dusk leopard hunts small benthic bony fishes invertebrates shallow water daytime generally rests inside caves groups species documented spawning squid spawning grounds reproduction proceeds year round females produce rectangular light colored egg time structures sea floor small harmless leopard captivity exhibited public caught commercial recreational killed pest listed species numbers declining heavy human activity occurs native waters possibly fragmented nature distribution merits caution local population taxonomy highly variable color pattern leopard historically known multitude names issue scottish physician zoologist listed descriptions new genus containing species shark german assigned sharks genus der furnished descriptions listed names description american zoologist described characterized large black spots subsequent authors recognized names based pattern variants leopard resolving identity proved especially problematic confirmed synonym species valid scientific leopard considered attributed responsible description specific epithet refers like type specimen long female collected cape good hope common names shark include distribution habitat leopard inhabits temperate subtropical waters south_africa west mouth east old certainly erroneous records mauritius madagascar given color pattern diversity species range likely fragmented number small local populations south african coast dwelling nature leopard commonly encountered zone depth reported deep portion continental slope species favors rocky reefs forests sandy flats beaches description leopard smaller species head snout short slightly flattened somewhat pointed snout tip split tiny openings skin central lobe forms slender reaches past mouth horizontally oval eyes equipped rudimentary membranes protective placed high head thick ridge running mouth wide arched short furrows corners extending jaws upper teeth exposed mouth closed tooth rows upper lower jaws respectively teeth narrow central pair small lateral adult males slightly curved females body compressed tail dorsal fins set far dorsal fin originates rear pelvic fins larger second originates anal fin base bases pectoral pelvic fins equal pectoral fins large broad pelvic fins lower adult males inner margins pelvic fins partially fused form apron caudal fin short broad indistinct lower lobe ventral notch near tip upper lobe thick skin covered dermal denticles shaped crown posterior points mounted short stalk background color leopard ranges white glossy jet black white black abrupt transition striking pattern black markings variously combining small large spots complete incomplete short long lines extend belly named forms typical leopard like broken lines large round spots salt pepper densely packed dots completely black upper surface irregular stripes spots sharks intermediate forms color pattern affected development sharks large black spots age tend break smaller spots eventually merge lines form appears type pattern carried adulthood color pattern related geographic location salt pepper forms apparently restricted waters leopard reaches maximum known length maximum known weight males grow slightly larger females biology ecology slow swimming leopard generally spends day resting inside caves groups night moves shore actively forage small bony fishes cephalopods crustaceans worms fishes important prey type followed cephalopods cape rock shark observed attacking octopus seizing tearing twisting motion like close relative shark temporarily abandon nocturnal habits advantage daytime mass squid occur year round peak october december sharks lie egg masses heads hidden sudden female squid descended sea floor attach eggs leopard apparently year females produce eggs time egg protected rectangular capsule long light brown olive color thinner walled shark corners capsule bear long enable female secure underwater structures eggs hatch approximately half months shark measures long males females begin mature sexually long respectively corresponding age years source reports maximum lifespan years source gives years predators leopard include larger sharks marine mammals fish consumed shark threatened ring tail covering head behavior performed eggs heavily preyed animals pierce outer covering extract yolk species known larvae nostrils mouth gills human interactions common range leopard harmless humans popular subject public small size attractive appearance trade supports minor fishery targets species shark regularly caught incidentally commercial recreational invariably discarded despite edible fishing mortality likely high line gear point kill hooked sharks seeing steal bait presently lacks sufficient information assess leopard notes habitat heavily impacted human activity possible distribution shark small distinct populations additional investigation monitoring
Leopard catshark