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Crocodile shark
No image of Crocodile shark found in the Shark Database
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| Range Map |
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| Systematics |
Phylum: Vertebates (Chordata)
Class: Carlilagenous Fishes (Chondrichthyes)
Order: Mackerel sharks (Lamniformes)
Family: Crocodile sharks (Pseudocarchariidae)
Genus: Pseudocarcharias (Pseudocarcharias)
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| Name |
| Scientific: | Pseudocarcharias kamoharai |
| German: | Krokodilhai |
| English: | Crocodile shark |
| French: | Requin crocodile |
| Spanish: | Tiburón cocdrilo |
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| Appearance |
Small and very unique looking shark. Very big eyes, no nictitating membrane. Long gill slits. Small pectoral fins, small dorsal fins. Weak keels on peduncle, precaudal pit present. Asymetrical caudal fin (not lunate-shaped).
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| Coloration |
Greyish-brown with white ventral surface. Sometimes seen with white dots. All fins have white margins.
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| Distribution |
Probably worldwide in tropical waters. Western Atlantic: Cuba to northern Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Cape Verde Islands to South Africa. Western Indian Ocean: Mozambique. Western Pacific: Japan, Taiwan, Korea. Central Pacific: Marquesas, Hawaiian Islands. Eastern Pacific: Baja California, Costa Rica, Panama.
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| Biology |
A rare to locally abundant species. Prefers epipelagic and oceanic waters down to a depth of 300 m. The firm musculature, the small precaudal fins and the large caudal fin suggest they may be active swimmers. Based on their big eyes, nocturnal activity is likely.
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| Feeding |
Unknown. Probably invertebrates and fishes.
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| Size |
Average size between 60 cm and 80 cm. Maximum total length about 110 cm.
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| Reproduction |
Aplacental viviparous (ovoviviparous), with uterine cannibalism. Size at birth 40 cm. Males reach sexual maturity at 75 cm (minimum), females at 90 cm (minimum).
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| Similar Species |
Unmistakable.
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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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