Page 119 - (DK) Super Shark Encyclopedia: And Other Creatures of the Deep

LONG-LIVED HUNTER

SPINY DOGFISH

“Spiny dogfish
The spiny dogfish might be one of the smallest sharks in the ocean,
but what it lacks in size it makes up for in ferocity. It hunts in packs
and does not hesitate to attack big prey. Its jaws and teeth work often bite
like shears to cut flesh. Although it is an active predator, it lives
its life at a slow pace, and lives longer than through nets
many larger sharks.
to eat a fisherman’s

catch”
White venomous
spine on front of
each dorsal fin
Large eyes
help it hunt
in deep,
dark water

Sting in the fin
The spiny dogfish gets its name White spots
from the short spines in front along the back
of its dorsal fins. They are mildly
venomous, but the dogfish has
to arch its back to stab attackers.

AT A GLANCE

STATS AND FACTS
7 5

AGE TO BECOME MATURE
Body is paler below 6 years (for males) MAXIMUM RECORDED AGE
than on the back YEARS
• SIZE 2¼–5¼ ft (0.7–1.6 m) long 12 years (for females)
• HABITAT Deep ocean waters near the coast SIZE 27–63 in/69–160 cm
• LOCATION North Atlantic, North Pacific, and (full size)
close to southern coastlines of South America, in 15 30 45 60
South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand
cm 40 80 120 160 MAX. GESTATION PERIOD LIFE STORIES
• DIET Fish, squid, octopuses, crabs, and jellyfish 8–12 in/20–30 cm (at birth) 2 2

MONTHS

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