Page 155 - (DK) Super Shark Encyclopedia: And Other Creatures of the Deep

CAT-EYED

NIGHT PROWLER

SMALL SPOTTED

CATSHARK

Hunting in the dark is no problem for this little shark.
Its sensitive eyes help it prowl the seas of Europe, where
it snaps at small animals that live close to the sandy and
muddy bottoms of coastal waters. It is one of the most
abundant sharks in European waters and eats whatever
its jaws can tackle—including fish, crabs, and squid.
The small spotted catshark is active mostly at night and
spends the day resting motionless under craggy rocks
or elsewhere on the sea floor.

AT A GLANCE

• SIZE 31–39 in (80–100 cm) • LOCATION Northeast Atlantic
long Ocean and Mediterranean Sea
• HABITAT Coastal ocean waters • DIET Fish, worms, shrimp,
and snails
Oval-shaped eye

Small spots on skin

STATS AND FACTS

EYE DIAMETER
3
1 ⁄ 16– ⁄ 16 in (2–5 mm) ¼–½ in
Although the eyes eye lens (7–15 mm) eye
of a catshark are
not especially big,
they are good for mm 4 8 12 16
nighttime hunting.
DIET
SLEEK HUNTER 46% fish 38% crabs 6% squid
Most types of catsharks have MAX. LIFESPAN
a slender body and skin that 10% other
is patterned with spots or other 12 invertebrates
markings. They are named for
their oval catlike eyes that are YEARS
positioned high on their head.
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