leopard shark lifespan

An adult leopard shark can reach up to 6 feet and has a lifespan of about 30 years. It is found along the Pacific coast of North America, from the U.S. state of Oregon to Mazatlán in Mexico. As a result of this long-standing error, Triakis semifasciata came to be recognized as the valid name (as a nomen protectum) and Mustelis felis was invalidated (as a nomen oblitum). [9], Females give birth to 1–37 young annually from March and July (most in April or May), with the number of pups increasing with female size. This shark species is ovoviviparous, which means that they develop their eggs inside of their body before giving “live birth.” Many populations use protected bays and estuaries to give birth and reproduce. Mustelus felis Ayres, 1854 Reproduction: The young of the Leopard shark hatch while still inside the uterus. In captivity, this species tends to die of starvation rather than old age, as … Most rest on the bottom, or hide in rocky crevices, during the daytime. This species does not live anywhere else in the world. Adult sharks often have more spots and saddles with lighter centers compared to juveniles. Large schools of leopard sharks are a common sight in bays and estuaries, swimming over sandy or muddy flats or rock-strewn areas near kelp beds and reefs. Tiger sharks in captivity do not live as long, a maximum of 17 to 20 years. [5] The heaviest known leopard shark weighed 18.4 kg (41 lb). CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Read on to learn about the leopard shark. Its body is long and slender and the adult has broad triangular pectoral fins. They have a lifespan of up to 30 years. Cruising through the Pacific kelp forests, packs of leopard sharks are surprisingly adept hunters. [15] Their eyes contain very few cone cells, likely due to the murky water they inhabit. It is relatively slow-growing and takes many years to mature. Those that consume its flesh consider the meat as excellent in texture and taste. Young sharks feed mostly on crabs and transition to clam siphons, fish eggs, and innkeeper worms once they reach 70–80 cm (2.3–2.6 ft) long. [9], The leopard shark has a moderately stout body, with a short, rounded snout. Unless you have extensive resources for care and maintenance, the leopard shark is probably not the right choice for your home aquarium. [7] Known breeding grounds along the coast of California include Humboldt Bay, Tomales Bay, Bodega Bay, San Francisco Bay, Elkhorn Slough, Morro Bay, Santa Monica Bay (Los Angeles), Catalina Harbor (Santa Catalina Island), and San Diego Bay. Lifespan/Longevity. Their primary prey sources include crabs, small fish, clams, and worms. As it ages it will usually lose these dark markings. Although it’s targeted by fisheries and adapts well to captivity. A young leopard has dark patches across its back and spots on its sides. There are well-developed, triangular flaps of skin in front of the nares. with proper care. They are a relatively slow-growing shark and can live up to 30 years in the wild. Unlike some species, like tiger sharks, adult leopard sharks still have drastically distinguishable markings. North America Endangered Status. Female leopard sharks give birth near shallow and protected habitats over sand or mudflats. Though much smaller than the nurse shark, the leopard shark is similar in its feeding methods. The scientific name, Triakis semifasciata, also describes the sharks.Triakisis Greek for “three-pointed,” the shape of the sharks’ three-pointed teeth, and semifasciata means half-banded, describing the saddle markings on the skin of this species. Leopard shark, (Triakis semifasciata), small shark of the family Triakidae found in shallow water along the Pacific coast of the United States. Leopard sharks eat crabs, fish eggs, clam siphons, and burrowing worm species. Most leopard sharks reside within enclosed bays or estuaries, particularly those with muddy or sandy bottoms. All photos used are royalty-free, and credits are included in the Alt tag of each image. By contrast, the area around Los Angeles represents a genetic transitional zone between subpopulations whose boundaries are more diffuse. Zebra sharks live to approximately 9 years when held in small tanks and up to 25 years when held in large aquarium tanks. Females can produce from seven to 36 offspring, which measure 20 centimeters at birth. [5] These teeth are arranged into a flat, "pavement"-like surface with overlapping ridges. The snow leopard’s cubs are highly vulnerable to predators until they reach the age of 18 – 22 months. Because of this, a number of zoos and aquariums are successful in housing this species. As with many shark species, this coloration is much more drastic in young animals, and becomes less so in older individuals. [3][10] This species is caught by commercial fisheries using gillnets and longlines, and by recreational anglers and spearfishers; it is also caught as bycatch in bottom trawls. These protected areas become nurseries for the young sharks until they are large enough to defend themselves from predators. Their tail adds another 25 to 39 inches (64 to 99 cm) to their length. Females typically weigh 46 to 132 pounds (21 to 60 kilograms) and males usually weigh around 80 to 165 lbs. For example, the spiny dogfish has one of the longest lifespans on Earth with more than 100 years, while the blue shark in the … It is believed that they live to 30 years in the wild. Along their backs and sides they have dark spots and saddle-like blotches. Seven discrete gene pools have been identified along the Californian coast between Humboldt Bay and San Diego. Relatively slow-growing after the first 3–4 years of life, male leopard sharks grow an average of 2.0 cm (0.79 in) per year, reaching maturity at an age of 7–13 years and a length of 0.7–1.2 m (2.3–3.9 ft), while females grow an average of 2.3 cm (0.91 in) per year, reaching maturity at an age of 10–15 years and a length of 1.1–1.3 m (3.6–4.3 ft). They can live over 20 yrs. On occasion, the shark tears the entire clam body out of its shell this way. [3], The leopard shark captures prey by expanding its buccal cavity to create a suction force, which is facilitated by its labial cartilages swinging forward to form the mouth into a tube. Another trait that this species shares with nurse sharks is its ability to rest on the sea floor. It was considered for, but is not managed under, the U.S. Pacific Fishery Management Council's (PMC) 1982 Groundfish Management Plan. [5] Mating occurs in early summer following birth; the only known observation of this in the wild was in 2004 off La Jolla, amongst nine sharks gathered 19 m (62 ft) from shore in water 0.3–3 m (0.98–9.84 ft) deep. [25] Leopard sharks have been caught with stomachs filled with clam siphons, which the sharks seize before the clams can retract and break off with a levering motion of their bodies. The largest sharks are the ones that consume the most fish. An active species that swims with a strong undulating motion, the leopard shark is commonly spotted cruising in or just beyond the surf zone. The fish can be encountered in different biotopes varying from rivers to lentic habitats. (1995). This species is mostly fished in the waters off California where, after a period of population decline in the 1980s, new fishing regulations in the early 1990s reduced harvesting to sustainable levels. [3] In December 1854, American ichthyologist William Orville Ayres gave a lecture describing the species as Mustelus felis, which included the first scientific description of the species. The pectoral fins are wide and triangular. This opportunistic hunter has also been known to eat ghost shrimp, polychaete worms, and the young of smoothhounds, shovelnose guitarfish (Rhinobatos productus), and bat rays (Myliobatis californicus). The northernmost reach of their range is Coos Bay in Oregon, and the southernmost is Mazatlan, Mexico. In older literature, this species may be referred to as "tiger shark" or "catshark". The lower lobe of the caudal fin is well-developed in adults but less than half the length of the upper lobe, which has a strong ventral notch near the tip. Leopard sharks are a small species native only to the Pacific coast of the United States and Mexico. It is more active at night than during the day, and sometimes lies still on the bottom. These figures are believed to be underestimates, as an unknown portion of the leopard shark catch is recorded simply as "shark". The female usually gives birth to 1 to 5 blind cubs which are completely helpless at birth. Foraging behavior varies greatly by region and population. The animalsanswers.com is a precise explanation of wild animals and how they adapt to their environment, for everyone, with all kinds of fascinating information presented in a readable format. Manley, J.F. They reside only along the Pacific Coast of the United States and into Mexico. Numbers have been known to gather near discharges of warm effluent from power plants. [13] At Santa Catalina Island, resident sharks spend the day together in the shallows and at night disperse into deeper water, ranging up to 10 km (6.2 mi) away. Like many species of cats, leopards sometimes exhibit melanism, a genetic mutation that causes the skin and fur of the animal to contain large amounts of the dark pigment called melanin. [5][7] Leopard sharks generally swim close to the bottom and are most abundant from the intertidal zone to a depth of 4 m (13 ft), though they may be found as deep as 91 m (299 ft). [4] The specific epithet semifasciata comes from the Latin words semi ("half") and fasciatus ("banded"), describing this shark's dorsal pattern of saddle-like markings. size. [3], The leopard shark is aplacental viviparous, with the developing embryos sustained by a yolk sac until birth. Leopard sharks feed on bottom dwelling organisms, and just about anything small enough to fit in their mouths. Under a hollow bridge support in San Francisco Bay, a group of leopard sharks and spiny dogfish have been observed feeding on a dense school of anchovies by slowly swimming counterclockwise through the clockwise-swimming school, and swallowing any anchovies that accidentally entered their open mouths. Therefore, it’s sold fresh or frozen. Today, it’s still fish… In addition to purposeful hunting, they also accidentally trap these sharks in nets and lines set for catching other species. Although most of them live 20 to 30 years in the wild, there are some that live much longer than others. (36 to 75 kg), according to the San Diego Zoo. [29], Newborn leopard sharks measure around 20 cm (7.9 in) long. These sharks have two large dorsal fins along their backs, one slightly after their pectoral fins, and one near the start of their tail fins. The reported maximum estimated age for a leopard shark … [6], The leopard shark occurs in the Northeastern Pacific Ocean, from the temperate continental waters of Coos Bay, Oregon to the tropical waters of Mazatlán, Mexico, including the Gulf of California. Fish. [7], Wary and quick to flee, leopard sharks pose almost no danger to humans. Reproduction and Lifespan: Leopard sharks are ovoviviparous and females can have up to 36 pups in a litter. From March to June, the female gives birth to as many as 37 young after a gestation period of 10–12 months. Females gestate for about 10 to 12 months. As a member of the Houndsharks family, some of the Leopard Shark’s distinctive features include having a round snout th… Leopard shark Synonyms Mustelus felis Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits Maximum longevity 30 years (wild) Source ref. Most leopard sharks tend to remain within a particular area rather than undertaking long movements elsewhere, which has led to genetic divergence between populations of sharks living in different regions. [17] The meat is considered excellent eating and is sold fresh or frozen. The leopard bush fish is most active during the night time and at day it usually hides among the thick underwater vegetation. Males average 24 years and females average 20 years. While many types live 20 to 30 years in the wild, there are some types that live much longer than others. [5] These schools are apparently nomadic, often appearing suddenly in an area for a few hours and then vanishing just as quickly. There is only one leopard shark attack ever recorded: in 1955, there was an unprovoked attack on a diver in Trinidad Bay, California. Triakis californica Gray, 1851. [3] The tooth rows number 41–55 in the upper jaw and 34–45 in the lower jaw; each tooth has a slightly oblique, smooth-edged cusp in the center and 1–2 small cusplets on either side. The leopard shark is placed within the subgenus Triakis along with the banded houndshark (T. (Triakis) scyllium). Food. [10][15] The leopard shark is prized by the aquarium trade for its attractive appearance and hardiness; this led to many newborn pups being captured with hook-and-line off southern California in the late 1980s and early 1990s. They restrict themselves to extremely shallow areas, and just a handful of habitats. [17] On one occasion, a sevengill shark was seen ambushing a leopard shark on a tidal mudflat in Humboldt Bay, striking with such momentum that the larger predator momentarily beached itself. [10] Rarely males may grow to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) and females 1.8 m (5.9 ft), and there is a record of an exceptional female that measured 2.1 m (6.9 ft) long. Type. In 1992, the State of California imposed a recreational minimum size limit of 91 cm (36 in) and a possession limit of three fish, a move that was strongly supported and promoted by the sport fishing community. [3] A 2006 phylogenetic analysis by J. Andrés López and colleagues, based on protein-coding genes, revealed that Triakis and Cazon are in fact not closely related, and additionally that the leopard shark may be the most basal member of its family. [1] It is highly susceptible to local depletion due to its slow growth rate and low level of exchange between regional stocks. Shark lifespan vary by kind and it is very different for each of them. [3], In some places, this species feeds only on a few prey types and little else (e.g. Typically measuring 1.2–1.5 m (3.9–4.9 ft) long, this slender-bodied shark is immediately identifia A slim, narrow-headed shark with small, three-cusped teeth, it grows about 90 to 150 centimetres (3 to 5 feet) long. Read on to learn about the leopard shark. [7], The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed the leopard shark as of Least Concern. The membership of these aggregations is inconstant, with individual females periodically switching between different sites scattered over several kilometers. The average lifespan of the Leopard Shark is about 30 years. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed this species as of Least Concern, while noting that local stocks may easily become overfished because of the shark's slow growth and limited migratory habits. These coastal sharks are most common in extremely shallow water, usually less than 13 ft. deep. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. and more. What Kind of Fish is the Leopard Shark? If the fish gets exited with the hunting process, it can even start t… The first scientific name applied to the leopard shark was Triakis californica, coined by British zoologist John Edward Gray in the 1851 List of the specimens of fish in the collection of the British Museum. [4], Despite M. felis being the senior synonym, an error in recording the dates of publication resulted in the widespread use of T. semifasciata as the leopard shark's scientific name. [5] However, leopard sharks living alongside human development may accumulate pollutants such as mercury, pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) within their bodies, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife warns against eating them regularly. The analysis of all the shark tissue indicated that the lifespan of a Greenland shark ranges between 252 and 512 years, with 390 the likeliest average. They are quite shy creatures, and generally flee as soon as humans approach. The leopard shark is most distinguished by the dark barbs on its dorsal fins. The average lifespan of tiger sharks in the wild is 27 years, though some may live to 50 years of age. When they are free from the mothers body, they are one-hundred percent ready to fend for themselves. Leopard shark Leopards of the sea. It is gray, distinctively marked with transverse black bars on its back and black spots on its sides. This shark species does well in aquariums and zoos. [22][23], The diet of the leopard shark consists of small benthic and littoral animals, most significantly crabs (Cancridae, Grapsidae, and Hippoidea), shrimp, bony fish (including anchovies, herring, topsmelt, croakers, surfperch, gobies, rockfish, sculpins, flatfish, and midshipmen), fish eggs, clams, and the echiurid fat innkeeper worm (Urechis caupo). Generally, fisheries catch them for the following purposes; 1. Simultaneously, the shark protrudes its jaws forward to grip the prey between its teeth. Carnivore. Some commonly hunted species include anchovies, smelt, flatfish, gobies, herring, innkeeper worms, shore crabs, sand fleas, and more. The leopard's tail has irregular patches that, at the tip of the tail, become dark-ringed bands. This low level of dispersal has led to genetic divergence across its range. These relatively small sharks are actually quite interesting creatures. His lecture was reprinted first in The Pacific, a San Francisco newspaper, and then in the journal Proceedings of the California Academy of Natural Sciences. 2) Adult leopard sharks reach lengths of over 6 feet; though they average less than 5 feet in length. Leopards are larger than a house cat, but leopards are the smallest members of the large cat category. The greater is the prey density the longer is the snow leopard’s lifespan. In 1993, the State also instituted a minimum size limit of 46 cm (18 in) for the commercial harvesting of all sharks and rays, including for the aquarium trade. [7], Most of the fishing for leopard sharks occurs in the waters off California, where commercial landings peaked at 45,953 kg (101,309 lb) in 1983 and has averaged 14,060 kg (31,000 lb) annually since 1991. They are capable of pumping water through their gills, a trait many species are unable to do. Eelgrass (Zostera) and algae may be swallowed incidentally. As these females follow the warmest patches of water, allowing them to raise their internal body temperatures by up to 3 °C (5.4 °F), they are speculated to be taking advantage of the heat to speed their growth and that of their gestating young. It may live for over 20 years in captivity. It favors muddy or sandy flats within enclosed bays and estuaries, and may also be encountered near kelp beds and rocky reefs, or along the open coast. [7][26] Multiple males may father a litter from a single mother[28] In Humboldt and San Francisco Bays, females drop their pups in beds of eelgrass that provide both shelter and food. Can You Eat Leopard Sharks? The leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata) is a species of houndshark, in the family Triakidae. [9] Off Baja California, the leopard sharks on the Pacific side are probably distinct from those in the northern Gulf of California. They grow to only 3 to 6.2 feet (92 to 190 centimeters) long. The leopard shark is also called a cat shark. A study in Tomales Bay in northern California determined that they depart when the water temperature drops below 10–12 °C (50–54 °F); one tagged shark was found to have swum some 140 km (87 mi) south. The leopard shark is highly prized by aquarium owners because of its pleasant appearance, low maintenance needs and general hardiness. Discover How Long Leopard shark Lives. Most individuals only grow to about four or five feet long. In April 1855, French biologist Charles Frédéric Girard published another description of this species, naming it Triakis semifasciata. The Leopard Shark is a resident of all Mexican waters of the Pacific Ocean with the exception that they are absent from the northern third of the Sea of Cortez and south of Mazatlán, Sinaloa along the coast of the mainland. The average bed is 6.25 feet long. The leopard shark is a member of the family Triakidae, which also includes the smoothhounds and the soupfin. / Leopard shark (Zebra shark) Leopard shark (Zebra shark) Stegostoma fasciatum Description. OUR DATA: We use the most recent data from these primary sources: AnAge, UMICH, Max Planck, PanTHERIA, Arkive, UKC, AKC. As a smaller and harmless species, leopard sharks are often caught for food and the aquarium trade. They also frequent kelp forests, intertidal zones, and rocky reef habitats. Leopard sharks get their common name from the black saddle-like stripes and large spots over their back. For example, in the Elkhorn Slough at Monterey Bay, cancrid crabs and innkeeper worms are mostly eaten in winter and spring, fish eggs from winter to early summer, bony fish in summer, and grapsid crabs and clams in fall. Phylogenetic relationships of houndsharks, based on protein-coding gene sequences. The maximum lifespan of this species is estimated at 30 years! At Santa Catalina Island, resident sharks spend the day together in the shallows and at night disperse int… (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Animals.NET aim to promote interest in nature and animals among children, as well as raise their awareness in conservation and environmental protection. Lifespan/Longevity. [18] Known parasites of this species include the tapeworms Phyllobothrium riseri, Lacistorhynchus dollfusi and Paraorygmatobothrium barber,[19][20][21] as well as the copepods Echthrogaleus eoleoptratus and Achtheinus oblongatus. Typically measuring 1.2–1.5 m (3.9–4.9 ft) long, this slender-bodied shark is immediately identifiable by the striking pattern of black saddle-like markings and large spots over its back, from which it derives its common name. Leopard Sharks have a total length between 4’-7’ (1.2-2.1 m) and an overall weight in the range of 35-45 lb (16-20 kg). The fish origins from Africa. [3][10] The coloration is unique, consisting of prominent black "saddles" and large black spots running along the back, on a silvery to bronzy gray background. ... Lifespan. Humans have not domesticated leopard sharks in any way. As an example, the spiny dogfish has one of the longest lifespan at more than 100 years, while the blue shark in the wild has an average lifespan of 15-16 years. [16] Small leopard sharks fall prey to larger sharks such as the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) and the broadnose sevengill shark (Notorynchus cepedianus). [5] The average length of a leopard shark is 1.2–1.5 m (3.9–4.9 ft). This page was last edited on 24 October 2020, at 18:11. The line of the mouth is strongly curved. [7] Although there is equivocal evidence for natal philopatry (returning to one's birthplace to breed) in this species, proximity to established breeding grounds likely contributes to the structuring of these different subpopulations. The underside is whitish and plain. Explore one of the largest Fish Longevity Databases in the World. Within this range, individuals do not travel excessively far, so there are a number of distinct populations. The maximum lifespan of this species is estimated to be 30 years. Stable facts. Some live for over 20 years in captivity. Diel movement patterns of leopard sharks, International Union for Conservation of Nature, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 10.1002/(SICI)1097-010X(19960901)276:1<1::AID-JEZ1>3.0.CO;2-T, "Parasitic Copepoda from Mexican Coastal Fishes", "Effects of prey size and mobility on prey-capture kinematics in leopard sharks, https://www.nbcnews.com/sciencemain/one-female-sharks-litter-may-have-many-dads-study-finds-6C10848675, Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology Department, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leopard_shark&oldid=985223470, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. [11], The dorsal color pattern of the leopard shark gives it its common name, An active species that swims with a strong undulating motion, the leopard shark is commonly spotted cruising in or just beyond the surf zone. Most individuals only grow to about four or five feet long. Their name comes from the large spots the cross their back and sides. As they grow older, they eat more fish. It is more active at night than during the day, and sometimes lies still on the bottom. They have short, round snouts, with flaps of skin near their nostrils. [17] This species contributes negligibly to fishery landings off Oregon. Fish Area. In Catalina Harbor, females give birth on flats in 1 m (3.3 ft) of water, their backs and dorsal fins exposed; the pups stay in even shallower water less than 30 cm (12 in) deep. [7] During summer days, large aggregations of mature females assemble in shallow bays and estuaries, dispersing at night. Description & Behavior. There are from 4-29 pups per litter, and are about 20 centimetres long at birth. in length. The Leopard Shark is aplacental viviparous, meaning that the young hatch inside the female. [14], Compared to the related grey and brown smoothhounds that share its range, the leopard shark has smaller and more numerous red blood cells, allowing it to process oxygen more efficiently. The female gives birth to 1-37 live young after a pregnancy of 10-12 months. In northern areas, females use bays and sloughs as nursery areas, while to the south they give birth in more open areas. Even during this incident, no injuries ever occurred, and scientists determined that the cause was likely the diver’s nosebleed. [5] Individuals of the same age can vary significantly in size and large sharks are especially slow-growing: one specimen was documented to have gained only 4 cm (1.6 in) in length over 12 years. This species is aplacental viviparous, meaning that the young hatch inside the uterus and are nourished by yolk. 1) The leopard shark is a species of houndshark, in the family Triakidae. The typical lifespan of the Leopard Shark is 20-30 years. Leopards exhibit a range of color and pattern variations. [3] In captivity, larger sharks have been observed establishing their dominance over smaller individuals via light nips to the pectoral fins. It is found along the Pacific coast of North America, from the U.S. state of Oregon to Mazatlán in Mexico. Keep reading to learn more leopard shark facts! Predators of the leopard catshark include larger sharks and marine mammals; it is one of the cartilaginous fish most often consumed by the broadnose sevengill shark (Notorynchus cepedianus). A leopard shark is high in mercury and should not be eaten regularly. [26][27] The predominant prey taken depends on location, time of year, and age.

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