Page 96 - (DK) Super Shark Encyclopedia: And Other Creatures of the Deep

COY CURLER TIMID RINGMASTER
When a shy shark faces danger
it curls its body into a ring and
covers its eyes with its tail, so a
SHY SHARK predator has trouble swallowing
it whole.

There are certain advantages to being a small shark—
it is easier to reach tasty worms and fish among the rocks
and coral along coastal shallows. However, it makes you
a target for fiercer predators, so it helps if you have a
strategy for keeping out of their way. Shy sharks certainly
live up to their name. They hide to avoid being grabbed
by sea lions diving from the shore or bigger sharks
coming up from the deep. As a last resort, shy sharks
curl themselves into a ring when a danger threatens.
A ring shape makes a tricky mouthful for a hungry
predator to gulp down.

AT A GLANCE

• SIZE 19½–29 in (50–73 cm) long
• HABITAT Mainly shallow ocean waters with
rocky and sandy bottoms or over beds of kelp
• LOCATION Southern Africa

• DIET Small fish, worms, shrimp, crabs,
and squid

STATS AND FACTS

SWIMMING DEPTH
Unlike most other
ft 150 300 450
sharks, shy sharks do
not give birth to live
m 50 100 150 young. The pups hatch
0–426 ft (0–130 m)
from egg cases that are
laid in shallow waters.
LENGTH 4–4¼ in (10–11 cm)
size of pups at hatching
in 10 20
TIME FOR EGGS TO HATCH
cm 25 50 75
19½–29 in (50–73 cm)
size of adults 14

WEEKS
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