THE FINS UNITED INITIATIVE
  • About TFUI
    • TFUI Origins >
      • About TFUI Founder Melissa
      • TFUI Officers
    • Take a Bite
    • Get Involved
    • FAQ
  • Bite Blog
  • Education
    • The Sharks >
      • Shark Anatomy
    • The Skates & Rays
    • The Chimaeras
    • Why Environments Matter
    • The Threats
    • Open Access >
      • Behind the Fins: Interview series
      • Bite into Research
      • Shark Bites: Book Recommendations
      • Sustainable Seafood Apps
  • Fins United
    • Shark Party Ideas
    • Little Fins Nursery
    • Big Fins Reef
  • Contact

Sicklefin houndshark

10/27/2017

 
​ The sicklefin houndshark (Hemitriakis falcate) is a slender, dusky coloured shark who can reach at least 80 cm in length. Sexes mature at 65-70 cm, and pups are born at 20-25 cm in length. 
Picture
Source: CSIRO National Fish Collection.
​These sharks have distinct white tips on both dorsal fins (which are similarly sized), and thin white tips on their pectoral, pelvic, and caudal (tail) fins. Like many sharks, they have a creamy underbelly. These sharks have large eyes and a blunt snout. #Finfact: The sicklefin houndshark lacks anal fins!
 
It is currently known only on the continental shelf of western Australia (from Exmouth Gulf to Broome in western Australia at depths of 110 - 200 metres (m) deep. Not much else is known about them. The IUCN has assessed these animals as Near Threatened (NT).

​

Interested in learning more? So are we!

glossary

  • Anal fin: fins behind the anus; used for stability while swimming.​
  • 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. 
  • Dorsal fin: Fin located on the back.
  • IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature.
  • Pectoral fins: Fins located behind the gills on either side.​
  • Pelvic fins: Fins located on the underside of a fish’s body, attached to their pelvic girdle.
  • Pup: Give birth to baby sharks (pups).
  • Pups: Baby sharks.

say hello!

you may also like:

Picture
WHITEFIN CHIMAERA
Picture
EASTERN SHOVELNOSE RAY
Picture
SPINNER SHARK

Comments are closed.

    Author

    TFUI Founder Melissa C. Marquez is author of all animal bios and "Behind the Fins" segments.
    ​
    A proud #LatinainSTEM, Marquez is a marine biologist who focuses on shark habitat use and movements; she is also a science communicator (follow her on Twitter) who focuses on diverse Chondrichthyan education and who focuses on the media coverage of sharks.
    You can learn more about her on her website.

    SEE MELISSA'S TEDx TALK HERE:

    Archives

    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016

    Subscribe to The Fins United Initiative's monthly newsletter.

    SEARCH BY CATEGORIES

    Picture
    SHARKS
    Picture
    SKATES &
    ​RAYS
    Picture
    CHIMAERA

    READER FAVORITES

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM

    @finsunitedinitiative
    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • About TFUI
    • TFUI Origins >
      • About TFUI Founder Melissa
      • TFUI Officers
    • Take a Bite
    • Get Involved
    • FAQ
  • Bite Blog
  • Education
    • The Sharks >
      • Shark Anatomy
    • The Skates & Rays
    • The Chimaeras
    • Why Environments Matter
    • The Threats
    • Open Access >
      • Behind the Fins: Interview series
      • Bite into Research
      • Shark Bites: Book Recommendations
      • Sustainable Seafood Apps
  • Fins United
    • Shark Party Ideas
    • Little Fins Nursery
    • Big Fins Reef
  • Contact