catshark

Catshark is the common name for the family Scyliorhinidae, a large group of small, bottom-dwelling sharks within the order Carcharhiniformes. With around 120 described species, catsharks are found in temperate and tropical seas worldwide, from shallow coastal waters to the continental shelf and often in rocky, sandy, or seagrass habitats.

Physically, catsharks are generally slender and elongated, with a pointed snout and cat-like eyes equipped with vertical pupils. They have two dorsal fins situated far back on the body, the first usually larger than the second, and five gill slits on each side. Their skin bears placoid scales, and their coloration is highly variable, often patterned for camouflage against the seafloor. Catsharks possess small mouths with sharp teeth arranged in multiple rows, adapted to grasping and tearing small prey.

Behavior and diet vary by species, but most are nocturnal ambush predators that feed on small fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and occasionally cephalopods. They are typically found on or near the seafloor, where they use cover and concealment to approach prey.

Reproduction is predominantly oviparous in catsharks, with egg cases commonly known as mermaid’s purses. These capsules are anchored to substrates by tendrils and hatch after several weeks to months, producing small, free-swimming young.

Catsharks are generally not dangerous to humans. They face threats from habitat degradation and bycatch in fisheries, though their wide distribution means impacts are species-specific and many data-deficient.