little gulper shark

The little gulper shark, Centrophorus uyato, that at maximum reaches 110 cm total length (TL) but is on average 75 - 89 cm. They are a marine, bathydemersal animal that has been observed at from 50 metres down to 1400 metres deep. Basically, this little shark likes it deeeeep.

With two dorsal spines, this slender little animal with its long, narrow snout has small, flat denticles that cover its brown-grey body. They are a common deep-water dogfish found on the outer continental shelves and upper slopes of it range. Where is it found? Good question! Found in the Western Central Atlantic, Eastern Atlantic, Indian Ocean and Western Pacific the validity of this species is apparently uncertain! But what isn't uncertain is their love of bony fishes and squid, yummy. These sharks are dried and salted for human consumption and probably used for fishmeal and liver oil as well. However, the IUCN has assessed these animals as Data Deficient (DD).

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS animal?

GLOSSARY

• Bathydemersal: Living and feeding on the bottom below 200 m.
• Benthic zone: The bottom of an ocean or lake.
• 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.
• Crustaceans: Group of animals with a hard exoskeleton, jointed legs and segmented body.
• Dermal denticles: Scales found in cartilaginous fishes: sharks, skates, rays, chimaeras.
• Dorsal fin: Fin located on the back.
• Dorsal side: The top of an animal.
• IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature.​

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