Sponge-Headed Cat Shark

Sponge-Headed Cat Shark

Apristurus Spongiceps
Sponge-Headed Cat Shark

Family, Genus, Class & Etymology

Family    Scyliorhinidae
Description    Cat sharks
Environment    Marine
Etymology    Greek, skylla = a shark + Greek, rhinos = nose
Genus    17
No. of Species    152
Order    Carcharhiniformes
Class    Elasmobranchii
Reproductive Guild    Mixed
Distribution    Temperate and tropical seas. Usually elongated, catlike eyes with nictitating eyelids. Lower eyelid usually with longitudinal fold. Gill openings 5, the fifth over origin of pectoral fin. Two small, spineless dorsal fins. One of the largest family of sharks, occurring from the intertidal zone to the edges of the continental and insular shelves and down the slopes to depths greater than 2000 m. Spawns large eggs in tough egg-cases with tendrils. Some species are ovoviviparous. Feed mainly on invertebrates and small fishes.