The Leopard shark is sometimes known as a cat shark. Regarded as the leopard of the sea, it is conspicuously covered with dark saddles and splotches. The leopard shark is a strong swimmer and it often forms large nomadic schools. From research, the leopard shark tends to easily absorb oxygen from water due to its diminutive size and numerous red blood cells. The shark is most commonly found in sandy or muddy bays and estuarine either at or near the bottom.
The shark is most commonly encountered in 20 feet of water or less. Leopard sharks seem to prefer warm temperate waters. The leopard sharks can reach lengths of up to seven feet. The shark is small and pretty much harmless to humans. The shark can be spooked easily. It is known as its distinctive dark spots and saddle type markings. The leopard shark is known to live up to 30 years.
According to the IUCN Red List of threatened species, the leopard shark is of least concern. Due to the high level of mercury in its flesh, it is not advisable to consume Leopard shark on a regular basis.
Taxonomy
The scientific name of the leopard shark is Triakis semifasciatum. They are members of the Houndsharks family.
Morphology
Leopard sharks have a short, broadly-rounded snout, their first dorsal fins are moderately large and they stem over their pectoral fins’ inner margins. Their second dorsal fin is nearly as large as the first one. They have a gray to bronze-gray coloration on their dorsal side, while on their ventral sides they have light undersides. The average size of a leopard shark is 3.9 ft to 4.92ft.
Adaptation
Leopard sharks are adapted to live close to the bottom of the ocean, as they spend the majority of their time so close to the ocean floor. This is because similar to other sharks, they lack a swim bladder, a sac-like organ that is used for buoyancy, rather, they store oil in their massive livers to counterbalance their weight. They have the sixth sense known as the lateral line to detect changes in pressure inside water. Through their ampullae de Lorenzini, they can detect electromagnetic fields that are radiated by every living animal.
Feeding
Leopard shark feed primarily on bottom-dwelling invertebrates. It seems the diet of leopard sharks change with seasons and their age or size.
Habitat
These sharks are found in continental littoral waters, inshore and offshore. They generally prefer waters that are cool to warm in a temperate, and sandy or muddy bays. They love sand flats, mudflats, and rocky bottom areas near reef sites and kelp beds. These sharks are often found at the bottom of shallow waters.
Reproduction
Leopard shark is an ovoviviparous shark, where the eggs produced by the female are maintained in a brood chamber. The embryo develops and hatches within the mother’s uterus. After birth, the shark’s litter may contain 4 to 29 pups.
References
Delius, B (2019). Leopard Shark. Florida. Retrieved from https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/species-profiles/triakis-semifasciata/
Marinebio (2019). Leopard Shark. Retrieved from https://marinebio.org/species/leopard-sharks/triakis-semifasciata/
Roger, M (2019). The Leopard Shark. Sharksider. Retrieved from https://www.sharksider.com/leopard-shark/
San Diego Zoo (2019). Leopard Shark. Triakis Semifasciata. Retrieved from https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/leopard-shark