Geographic range:
Oceanic islands, Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean,
Pacific Ocean: Oceans of the world. Usually temperate and subtropical
waters. Has been spotted off Alaskan and Canadian coasts and large
individuals are known to visit tropical waters. Present in Mediterranean.
Physical characteristics: The
biggest predatory shark. Robust, hydrodynamic body with short conical
snout. Gills slits are long. Large first dorsal fin with the origin
over pectoral fin inner margins. Second dorsal and anal fins minute.
Caudal fin homocercal (crescent shaped), without a secondary keel
below extension of caudal keel. Dorsal surface is gray to gray- brown,
underbody is white. Usually reaches 4- 5m in length, bigger individuals
were recorded, but maximum length remains unconfirmed.
Food
habits: Predator. Preys mainly on: bony fishes and marine mammals,
but also smaller sharks, sea turtles, seabirds can be consumed. Methodical
feeder - sophisticated food-finding mechanisms are employed.
Reproduction: Very little known.
Embryos hatch in uteri, live young are born. Size at birth ranges
from 120-150 cm in total length. Gestation time is also unknown.
Behavior: Solitary, rare congregations
usually occur around a food source. Capable of short, medium and long
-range movements. Big individuals seem to be more likely to undergo
a long journeys across ocean basins.
Habitat: Coastal and offshore waters of continental shelves
(surface temperatures 12 and 24 degrees Celsius). Sometimes spotted
close to shore, in bays and harbors. Also occurs off distant oceanic
islands. |
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