Distribution:

Western Atlantic: Virginia, Massachusetts, USA; Argentina. Eastern Atlantic: North Sea to Mediterranean, Morocco to Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. Western Indian Ocean: India, Mozambique, South Africa. Western Pacific: Japan, southern Australia, New Zealand. Records from Oman and Kiribati uncertain. Apparently absent in the Eastern Pacific.

Diagnosis:

Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0. A stout shark with a relatively short snout. Dorsal fins small, on posterior part of body and first dorsal fin originating behind pelvic fin origin; caudal fin without subterminal notch. Tooth count 20-26/21-26. Dorsal surface dark purplish-grey to brown with white denticles, ventral surface paler; sides and back may have dark spots.

Biology:

A rare, large, sluggish, deepwater shark found on continental and insular shelves and upper slopes. Sometimes found in shallow water. Feeds on smaller sharks, bony fishes, and crabs. Never recorded as attacking people. Sometimes hooked by shore anglers. Processed into fishmeal. May be used in traditional medicine in southern Africa.

Max. size: 310.0 cm

Environment: bathydemersal; depth range 10 - 900 m

Climate: deep-water; 61°N - 48°S

Canary Islands country information: [ No common name ]