Leopard Shark
ExploreFish
Leopard Shark
Triakis semifasciata
Leopard Sharks have beautiful spotted patterns that look like a leopard! They are often seen in sandy bays.
Habitat: Coastal waters
Appearance
The Leopard Shark has a sleek, slender body typically gray or bronze with distinctive dark saddle-like blotches and spots that resemble a leopard's coat. Its underside is pale, and it has two dorsal fins, making it easily identifiable in coastal waters.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassElasmobranchiiOrderCarcharhiniformesFamilyTriakidaeGenusTriakis
Category
FishRarity
Rare
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Leopard Sharks give birth to live pups, not eggs, usually between 7 and 36 at a time!
These sharks often gather in large groups, sometimes hundreds, especially in warm bays.
They can be found swimming in water so shallow it barely covers their dorsal fin!
Unlike many sharks, Leopard Sharks are harmless to humans and often encountered by divers.
Special abilities
Ability
Electrosense Power
Leopard Shark can detect tiny electrical fields generated by hidden prey, allowing them to find crabs and fish buried in the sand.
Ability
Bottom Breathing
Leopard Shark can actively pump water over its gills, allowing it to rest motionless on the seabed without needing to swim.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 100-180 cm
- Weight
- 10-18 kg
- Lifespan
- 20-30 years
- Swim Speed
- 10 km/h
- Maximum Depth
- 90 m
- Water Type
- Saltwater
Diet & Feeding
These sharks are bottom-feeders, eating small crabs, worms, and fish from the seafloor.
Primary Foods
- Crabs
- Shrimp
- Clam siphons
- Small fish
- Worms
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
hunts
Rock Crab
Cancer antennarius
a main food source found on the seafloor
hunts
California Bay Shrimp
Crangon franciscorum
a favorite invertebrate prey in soft sediments
eats
Gaper Clam
Tresus nuttallii
nibbles on exposed siphons of buried clams
eaten by
Great White Shark
Carcharodon carcharias
a larger apex predator in their habitat
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Spotted
Marked with spots or patches of a different color.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Piscivorous
Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
California Shark
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Leopard Shark?
100-180 cm
How much does Leopard Shark weigh?
10-18 kg
How long does Leopard Shark live?
20-30 years
What does Leopard Shark eat?
These sharks are bottom-feeders, eating small crabs, worms, and fish from the seafloor.
How fast can Leopard Shark swim?
10 km/h
Where is Leopard Shark usually found?
Coastal waters
How does Leopard Shark hunt?
Foraging
How deep can Leopard Shark go?
90 m
Snap Map
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