|
Phylum |
Chordata |
 |
|
Class |
Chondrichthyes |
|
|
Order |
Carcharhiniformes |
|
|
Family |
Triakidae |
Leopard Shark
Triakis semifasciata
|
Phylum |
Chordata |
|
|
Class |
Chondrichthyes |
|
|
Order |
Carcharhiniformes |
|
|
Family |
Triakidae |
| Common names : | Leopard Shark |
| Diet : | Small fish, fish eggs, crabs, shrimp and clams. |
| Reproduction : | Viviparous : Females give birth to up to 24 young every spring. |
| Size : | Maximum 1.8 metres Average female 1.5 metres Average male 1.5 metres |
 |
Distribution : Found only on the Pacific coast of North America from the state of Oregon to Baja California. Often enters muddy bays with the tide and leaves as it ebbs. The Leopard shark migrates north to more temperate waters every year. |
| Danger to man : | Harmless. |
| Economic Importance : | Excellent and popular aquarium species. Commercially fished in some areas and easily caught as they often travel in schools. Although the Leopard shark was once a very common shark, they have become rare in certain areas due to over fishing. |
| Other Comments : | The Leopard shark is one of the many sharks that does not have to continually swim in order to breathe. |