Notorynchus cepedias Shark Jaws
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Suborder: Scyliorhinoidei
Family: Hexanchidae
Species:
Common Name: Broadnose Sevengill
The maximum size of this shark is 12 feet and it can weight up to 1000+ lbs. The Broadnose can be found in the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans both inshore and offshore.
The broadnose sevengill shark is among the very few shark species that have seven gill slits on each side of the head. Some of the other unique features of this shark include a broad head, fairly small eyes, only one small dorsal set back near the tail and numerous black spots on the body.
The seven gill shark has a wide range in mostly temperate seas, including the Eastern South Atlantic, the Western and Eastern Pacific and Western Indian Ocean. Known as a coastal shark, it is commonly found in shallow bays and close to shore, though larger individuals are often known to venture into deeper water offshore. The movements of this sharks on a day-to-day basis follow the pattern of the tide cycle; they tend to swim closer to shore with the incoming tide, and move away from shore as the tide recedes.
The broadnose seven gill is known as aggressive, strong-swimming and powerful, and is quite unparticular in its feeding choices. This species has been known eat just about anything including other sharks, rays, bony fishes, porpoise, dolphin, and rats. Reports from fisherman have concluded that this shark can be quite dangerous when caught, as it thrashes to break free and tries to bite anything nearby.
