Distribution:

Western Atlantic: Mexico, Gulf of Mexico, Brazil to Argentina. Eastern Atlantic: off France southward and around the coast of southern Africa to central Natal, South Africa, including the Mediterranean. Possibly two separate populations in southern Africa. Western Pacific: Japan to New Zealand. Eastern Pacific: southern California, USA to the Gulf of California in Mexico and Peru.

Diagnosis:

Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0. A large shark to with a bluntly pointed, broad snout, narrow, bent cusps on the upper teeth, and with no interdorsal ridge. Grey to bronzy in color, white below; fins mostly plain except for dusky tips on pelvics, as well as dusky to black tips and rear edges on pectoral fins.

Biology:

A coastal and offshore shark found along continental margins in most tropical and temperate seas. Occasionally enters large coastal bays and inshore areas. Occasionally found near the bottom. Migratory in the northern part of its range, moving northward in spring and summer and southward in autumn and winter. Feeds on pelagic and bottom bony fishes, cephalopods, and small sharks and rays. Undoubtedly utilized for human consumption where it occurs. Implicated in shark attacks on people.

Max. size: 325.0 cm

Max.weight: 227 Kg

Environment: pelagic; depth range 0 - 100 m

Climate: subtropical; 45°N - 52°S

Canary Islands country information: Name: Jaqueta, Jaquetón