Distribution:

Cosmopolitan in temperate and tropical seas. Western Atlantic: Gulf of Maine to southern Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Eastern Atlantic: Norway to South Africa, including the Mediterranean. Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Hawaii, north to Primorsk Kray (Russian Fed), south to Australia and New Zealand. Eastern Pacific: south of Aleutian Is. and from southern California, USA to Chile.

Diagnosis:

Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0. A large, spindle-shaped shark with large black eyes, a sharp snout, and large, narrow, hooked teeth with smooth edges. Caudal fin lunate, lower lobe strongly developed. Dark blue above, white below. Tiny second dorsal and anal fins.

Biology:

Oceanic, but sometimes found close inshore. Usually in surface waters, down to about 150 m. Feeds on bony fishes, other sharks, cephalopods; larger individuals may feed on larger prey such as billfish and small cetaceans. Tagging in New Zealand indicates seasonal migrations. Probably the fastest of all sharks and can leap out of the water when hooked. Potentially dangerous and responsible tor unprovoked attacks on swimmers and boats. Utilized fresh, dried/salted, smoked and frozen; eaten broiled and baked. Valued for its fine quality meat as well as its fins and skin. Oil is extrated for vitamins and fins for shark-fin soup. Jaws and teeth are also sold as ornaments and trophies. Give birth to 4-16 young, 60 - 70 cm long.

Max. size: 400.0 cm

Max.weight: 506 Kg

Environment: pelagic; depth range 0 - 740 m

Climate: subtropical; 16; 64°N - 50°S

Canary Islands country information: Name: Janequín, Marrajo