Tope Shark

Galeorhinus galeus

Phylum

Chordata

 Tope Shark

Class

Chondrichthyes

Order

Carcharhiniformes

Family

Triakidae

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common names :

Tope shark, Soupfin shark, School shark, Vitamin shark.
Diet : Small fish, octopus and squid.
Reproduction : Ovoviviparous : Females give birth to up to 52 live young per litter. Thought  breed every 2 to 3 years. Females reach sexual maturity at the age of approximately 10 years.
Size : Maximum 2 metres  Average female 1.6 metres Average male 1.4 metres

 

Distribution of Tope Shark Distribution : Worldwide in temperate and sub-tropical seas. Usually found on the bottom from inshore waters to far offshore in deep oceans.

 

Danger to man : Usually harmless, although has been known to bite when caught.
Economic Importance : The Tope is heavily fished in many regions for it's flesh, skin, fins and oil.
Other Comments : The females are known to migrate over 1500 miles in order to give birth in cooler waters. The Tope will sometimes travel in large schools and can live to 50 years.