| Photo |
Pyjama shark
© Doug Perrine / SeaPics
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| Range Map |
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| Systematics |
Phylum: Vertebates (Chordata)
Class: Carlilagenous Fishes (Chondrichthyes)
Order: Ground sharks (Carcharhiniformes)
Family: Catsharks (Scyliorhinidae)
Genus: Poroderma (Poroderma)
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| Name |
| Scientific: | Poroderma africanum |
| German: | Pyjamahai |
| English: | Pyjama shark |
| French: | Rousette rubanee |
| Spanish: | Alitan listado |
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| Appearance |
General appearance of a cat shark. First dorsal fin opposite the midbase of the pelvic fins. Second dorsal fin is much smaller than first one and ends at the beginning of the caudal fin.
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| Coloration |
Greyish with dark stripes.
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| Distribution |
Eastern Atlantic: South Africa. Western Indian Ocean: South Africa.
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| Biology |
Common. Lives preferably in shore areas, close to bottom, down depths of 100 m. Prefers small caves and crevices. Nocturnal.
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| Feeding |
Feeds preferably on crustaceans, but on small fishes too.
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| Size |
Average size between 60 cm and 80 cm, maximum total length up to about 100 cm.
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| Reproduction |
Oviparous (egg laying). Hatch size about 15 cm. Males reach sexual maturity at about 60 cm, females at 65 cm.
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| Similar Species |
Unmistakable pattern.
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| Endangerment |
Status in the IUCN
Red List(1994):
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| Main criterion: |
 LR/nt (Low Risk/Near Threatened (1994)) |
| Sub criterion: |
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| Trend: |
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| Danger to Humans |
Harmless.
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