2019 underrated elasmobranchs: day 4

​You can find today’s Underrated Elasmobranch in the shallow waters of South Africa. The sharp tooth houndshark (Triakis megalopterus), aka the “spotted gully” shark by the locals, is known to gather in schools during the summer months. As they grow, individuals gain more and more black spots. 

This harmless fish can grow up to 1.7m (5.6 ft) in length and weight around 40 kg (88 lbs) and spends its days weaving in and out of the kelp in search of crabs, small fish, and other sharks. Though their meat is not necessarily desirable to fishermen, when caught, this Near Threatened (IUCN Red List 2005) species is dried into an expensive shark ‘biltong’ or jerky.