Dusky Shark

Carcharhinus obscurus

Phylum

Chordata

 Dusky Shark

Class

Chondrichthyes

Order

Carcharhiniformes

Family

Carcharhinidae

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common names :

Dusky shark, Bay shark, Black whaler, Lazy-grey shark,

Shovelnose shark.
Diet : Small schooling fish, mackerel, tuna, small sharks, skates and rays.
Reproduction : Viviparous : Females give birth to up to 10 live young per litter after 16 months gestation
Size : Maximum 4 metres  Average female 3.1 metres Average male 3.1 metres

 

Distribution of Dusky Shark Distribution : Worldwide in tropical  and warm temperate waters. Sometimes found as close to shore as the surf line, but usually found offshore in open water from the surface to depths of 400 metres.

 

Danger to man : Dangerous, although very few attacks have been recorded.
Economic Importance : An IGFA gamefish. Also fished commercially, to the point of over-fishing in the Western Atlantic.
Other Comments : Another of the requiem sharks that migrates north in the summer and south in the winter. The Dusky shark is probably the most common species caught in the anti-shark nets off Natal, South Africa.