Dwarf catshark

Credit: FAO

​The dwarf catshark, Scyliorhinus torrei, is found off of southern Florida, the Bahamas and Cuba. 

You may also know them as the “Cuban catshark” because of this! In the Scyliorhinidae (catshark) family, they are commonly seen in 200- 600 m (656- 1969 ft) on continental slopes. They are pale brown in color, with a white belly, dark splotches on their sides and white spots dot their dorsal side. They are an oviparous shark, laying paired eggs.
​​
Not much else is known about their biology. This animal is rarely caught in fisheries, and therefore the IUCN has assessed them as Least Concern (LC).

want to learn more about these jawsome animals? so do we!

glossary

• ​Continental shelf: Extends from a continent underwater, resulting in a shallow-water area.
• Continental slope: The steep slope from a continental shelf to the ocean floor; usually around 20 km (12.4 miles) wide and made up of mud and silt substrate. It is an ideal area for deep sea fishing
• IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature.
• Oviparity/oviparous: Where adult Chondrichthyans lay eggcases (also known as ‘mermaid’s purses) and the baby develops inside the egg before hatching.
• Pups: Baby sharks.​

say hello!

you may also like:

PRICKLY SKATE

SICKLEFIN LEMON SHARK

MELBOURNE SKATE