Species Type:
Sharks & Rays, Fishes
Common Name(s):
Swell shark
Size:
Swell sharks grow up to 3 feet (1 meter) long.
Diet:
Swell sharks are ambush predators that feed on small reef fishes.
Range & Habitat:
Found throughout the Eastern Pacific from Monterey Bay to southern Mexico, with a small population near the coast of Chile. Swell sharks inhabit kelp beds with rocky substrate.
Details:
The swell shark is a small, nocturnal species of shark. They have large mouths, extending past their eyes. Swell sharks have a broad head and stout body. They are a yellowish brown color, with a pattern of large dark blotches and white spots. The coloration of the swell shark is similar to that of the leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata), but the species can be distinguished as the spots on a leopard shark are well defined, unlike those of the swell shark.