Distribution:

Found in all warm seas except perhaps the eastern Pacific. Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and off South Africa to Japan, Korea and Australia. Present in Arafura Sea. Western Atlantic: Gulf of Maine to Argentina. Old record from Bermuda, south Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Mediterranean to Cameroon.

Diagnosis:

Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0. A shark with a short, pointed snout, small eyes, protruding spike-like teeth and small, equal-sized dorsal and anal fins; 1st dorsal fin closer to pelvic than to pectoral fins. Caudal fin with a pronounced subterminal notch and a short ventral lobe. Pale brown or grey, paler below, with dark spots that appear faded in adults; fins plain.

Biology:

A common littoral shark found inshore from the surf zone and in shallow bays to at least 191 m on the outer continental shelves. Often on or near the bottom but also occurs in midwater or at the surface. Only shark known to gulp and store air in its stomach to maintain neutral buoyancy while swimming . Found singly or in small to large schools. Feeds on bony fishes, small sharks, rays, squids, crabs, and lobsters. A migratory species in parts of its range, particularly in its northern and southern extremities where pronounced poleward migration occur in the summer and equatorial movements in autumn and winter. Usually inoffensive and unaggressive when not provoked but has known to bite swimmers and be aggressive towards divers with speared fish. Utilized for fresh, frozen, smoked and dried for human consumption; also for fishmeal, liver oil, fins, and hides for leather.

Max. size: 320.0 cm

Max.weight: 155 Kg

Environment: demersal; depth range 0 - 191 m

Climate: subtropical; 45°N - 48°S

Canary Islands country information: Name: Sarda