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Pelagic thresher
No image of Pelagic thresher 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: Thresher sharks (Alopiidae)
Genus: Alopias (Alopias)
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| Name |
| Scientific: | Alopias pelagicus |
| German: | Pazifischer Fuchshai |
| English: | Pelagic thresher, Smalltooth thresher |
| French: | Renard pelagique |
| Spanish: | Zorro pelagico |
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| Appearance |
Typical thresher shark with a very long tail, about half the length of the entire shark. Relatively small eyes. Conical snout. Straight and broad-tipped pectoral fins.
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| Coloration |
Dark above. Ventral surface white, not extending over pectoral fin bases.
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| Distribution |
Western Indian Ocean: South Africa to western Australia. Western Pacific: eastern Australia, New Caledonia, Tahiti. Central Pacific: Hawaii. Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California and Galapagos Islands.
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| Biology |
Primarily oceanic species found from the surface down to a depth of approximately 150 cm. A little-known species. Very active, fast swimmer.
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| Feeding |
Small fishes that are herded together with their tails and then stunned or killed with it.
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| Size |
Average size between 250 cm and 300 cm. Maximum total length at least 330 cm.
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| Reproduction |
Aplacental viviparous (ovoviviparous), with possible uterine cannibalism. 2 pups per litter.
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| Endangerment |
Status in the IUCN
Red List:
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No Entry found in Red List.
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| Danger to Humans |
Harmless.
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