Pajama Catshark
(Poroderma africanum)
Habitat: Kelp Forest |
Exhibit
Gallery: Sharks: Africa
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| Horizontal black stripes from snout to tail give this shark the unmistakable look of wearing pajamas, hence its name. Prefers rocky reefs, and is found in shallow waters (down to about 300 feet) in the Southeast Atlantic. Sleeps in caves and crevices during the day. Grows to about three feet in length. |
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| A species of concern. Its limited range close to shore in waters off heavily populated areas makes it highly vulnerable to sport fisheries and as bycatch in commercial fisheries. Under increasing pressure for the home aquarium trade as well. |
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| Like cats, catsharks have a tapetum lucidum—a layer of silvery reflecting plates behind the retina that increases the amount of light the eye uses and enables this species to hunt at night. |
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