Horn Shark
(Heterodontus francisci)
Habitat: Kelp Forest |
Exhibit
Gallery: Sharks: Pacific Northwest
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| This small, elusive shark prefers shallow waters less than 40 feet deep, hides in a crevice or cave during the day and hunts at night. Feeds on seafloor invertebrates, especially sea urchins and crabs, and occasionally on small fishes. Found off Central California to the Gulf of California. Average length is just over three feet. Named for its large fin spines. |
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| Caught as bycatch by bottom trawlers and shrimp fisheries. Often caught by divers for sport and for the spines, which are made into jewelry. A decline in population has been observed in southern California in areas with intense diver activity. |
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| Females lay spiral egg cases, which they wedge into crevices. Each egg case contains one pup, which takes between six and nine months to hatch. Horn sharks are not graceful swimmers, and sometimes use their strong pectoral fins to crawl along rocks. |
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