#leopard sharks

Leopard sharks

Today's shark is the leopard shark!

The basics: the leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata) is a species of houndshark that can be found in large schools off the coast of its range along the Pacific coast of North America. They are often found over sandy or muddy flats near kelp beds and reefs, whey they hunt for clams, crabs, and fish eggs along the sediment between actively hunting for bony fish. Their schools have been known to mingle with other species of similarly-sized shark, including some smoothounds and the spiny dogfish!

Conservation status: least concern. Though the leopard shark is commercially fished for its meat and for the aquarium trade, and populations are highly susceptible to local depletion due to a slow reproduction rate, leopard sharks are a success story for sustainable fishing practices. Their populations were once at risk, but with the help of regulations have bounced back and are still on the rise.

Today's fun fact: because leopard sharks are strongly schooling species and tend to stay with their school in the same areas, there are noticeable demographic differences between populations! Their behaviors will also vary by location as different groups have different preferred strategies for following the tides for food or migrating up and down the water column based on time of day.

Leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata), Tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)

Fishes of the World. Written by Hans Hvass. Illustrated by Wilhelm Eigener. Originally published in 1964.

Day 11: Gay Leopard Shark

ID in alt Click for higher quality

If I rember correctly this is the thing where I’m able to yap about whatever I want if I get sent a sunflower right? If not oh well I’m still gonna yap ANYWAYS

my favorite shark of all time is the leopard shark!!!! They’re little cutie patooties and they’re really friendly with humans!!! 

leopard sharks are my favorite but the nurse shark is a close second 

anyways I also have a leopard shark plushie named Lemon!! (Yes I know she’s a leopard shark not a lemon shark but the name felt right yknow?) I got her when I saw an actual leopard shark at an aquarium I went to on vacation last year!!! I think I have like 10ish minutes of footage of her cuz I just sat there and filmed her in all her glory cuz I love leopard sharks <3

Shark autism be upon ye imma go beddy byes now byeeeee!!!! 

tw for well...sharks Lemon shark - Negaprion brevirostris They are carcharhiniformes also known as “ground sharks” and it is largest order of sharks. Males can reach at least 9.15 ft [2.79 m]. Females can reach at least 9.3 ft [2.85 m]. They can be Yellow, Brown, or Olive on top and how a Pale yellow underbelly and they use this coloring to help them blend into the sand at the sea floor

Leopard shark - Triakis semifasciata They are carcharhiniformes also known as “ground sharks” and it is largest order of sharks. They have a Black, pale tan, to greyish, top coat that fades to whitish on their underbelly. They have black saddle marks. The saddle-marks become light-centered in adults. Males reach a maximum length of 4.9 ft [1.5 m], and females reach 5.9 ft [1.8 m].

Goblin shark - Mitsukurina owstoni They are Lamniformes, these sharks a large mouth with several rows of sharp teeth and are able to maintain a higher body temperature than the water in which they are swimming. Males mature at 8.7 ft [264 cm] and females mature at 11 ft [335 cm]. Their maximum size is estimated to be more than 16.4 ft [500 cm]. A pinkish white shark with a soft, flabby body and an unmistakable flat, elongated snout. They are best know for the fact the jaws protrude out to catch prey

White shark - Carcharodon carcharias They are Lamniformes, these sharks a large mouth with several rows of sharp teeth and are able to maintain a higher body temperature than the water in which they are swimming. Also known as great white sharks this species is the most well known species of shark. They have a Slate brown to black top, white underbelly. Males may reach 18 ft [5.5 m] but the most common measurement for males is 11-13 ft [3.3-3.9 m]. Females tend to be between 15-16 ft [4.5-4.8 m], But the largest recorded female white shark was 20ft [6.1 m]

Nurse shark - Ginglymostoma cirratum They are Orectolobiformes also known as “carpet sharks”. This is one of the most diverse order of shark and most tend to have patterned skin. They are a Gray-brown, yellow brown or brown body. Juveniles may have dark spots. Most are less than 10 ft [3 m], the largest was record to be 14 ft [4.3 m] but most are but most are less than 9.8 ft [3 m]. Nurse sharks are known to be a favorite with divers because they are usually indifferent to divers and in some cases they develop a ‘Favorite diver’ that they become protective over and will get upset if other sharks go near them

Greenland shark - Somniosus microcephalus  They are Squaliformes, and this is my favorite order of sharks, there is  an estimated of 126 different species in this order. this order of sharks is found in nearly every marine habitat and some deepwater Squaliformes are bioluminescent. They are Medium grey or brown, sometimes with transverse dark bands, small, dark spots and blotches, and small light spots. When born, they are about 1.3 ft [0.3 m] long. Most adults are 8 to 14 ft [2.4 to 4.2 m] in length, and their maximum length is likely to be over 21 ft [6.4 m], possibly up to 24 ft [7.3 m].Scientists estimate the Greenland shark lives at least 250 years and some believe they may live over 500 years. It’s not 100% know how they can live for so long but many believe it is because of their slow metabolism, this can also explain there slow growth and sluggish movements. Their top speed is under 2.9 kilometers per hour and they don’t reach sexual maturity till they are over a century old