Animal Unique | Thresher Shark | The thresher shark is characterized by its large upper caudal fin. In Canadian waters sizes have ranged from 3.3 to 5.5 meters (10.8 to 18 feet) long. Thresher sharks are large lamniform sharks of the family Alopiidae . Indeed the long-tailed thresher shark, Alopias vulpinus, is named the fox shark by some authorities.
The thresher shark is characterized by its large upper caudal fin. This tail fin may often be 50 percent of the total length of the shark. It has a short snout and large eyes placed forward on the head. The second dorsal fin is much smaller than the first. The thresher is a strong swimmer and can leap clear of the water. The jaws are small with small, curved sharp teeth without basal cusps or serrations. Colour varies from brown to black with metallic hues from above and irregular white markings on the underside. In Canadian waters sizes have ranged from 3.3 to 5.5 meters (10.8 to 18 feet) long. The maximum size recorded for this species is 6.1 meters (20 feet), however they generally are between 2 to 5 meters (10 to 16.5 feet) in length. Thresher sharks are large lamniform sharks of the family Alopiidae. Found in all temperate and tropical oceans of the world, the family contains three species all within the genus. The genus and family name derive from the Greek word alopex, meaning fox. Indeed the long-tailed thresher shark, Alopias vulpinus, is named the fox shark by some authorities. The common name is derived from a distinctive thresher-like tail or caudal fin which can be as long as the body of the shark itself.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Extremely large caudal fin that may be up to 50 percent of the body length
Relatively large eyes
Relatively small teeth and jaw
Extremely large caudal fin that may be up to 50 percent of the body length
Relatively large eyes
Relatively small teeth and jaw
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Order: Lamniformes
Family: Alopiidae Bonaparte, 1838
Genus: Alopias
Thresher Shark Diet
The thresher shark eats schooling fish, such as herring and mackerel and cephalopods such as squid. The large caudal fin is used to slap the surface of the water forcing fish to form tighter schools; the tail can then be used as a whip to stun or kill the prey.
The thresher shark eats schooling fish, such as herring and mackerel and cephalopods such as squid. The large caudal fin is used to slap the surface of the water forcing fish to form tighter schools; the tail can then be used as a whip to stun or kill the prey.
Thresher Shark Reproduction
This shark is ovoviviparous, with the eggs being hatched inside the female, and 2 to 6 live pups being delivered at a size of 1.5 meters (5 feet) long. During development the young may cannibalize their siblings within the uterine chamber.
Thresher Shark Habitat
The thresher often swims at the surface of coastal waters. However it can also occur at depths of 350 meters (1,150 feet) or more. The young may be found inshore in shallow water.
Thresher Shark Range
The thresher shark is a summer visitor to the Canadian Atlantic region. They have been captured from July to November, but most frequently during August and September. The thresher ranges through all warm and temperate areas of the worlds oceans. Its northernmost range in the western Atlantic is eastern Newfoundland and it ranges all the way down the Atlantic to the West Indies and northern South America.
This shark is ovoviviparous, with the eggs being hatched inside the female, and 2 to 6 live pups being delivered at a size of 1.5 meters (5 feet) long. During development the young may cannibalize their siblings within the uterine chamber.
Thresher Shark Habitat
The thresher often swims at the surface of coastal waters. However it can also occur at depths of 350 meters (1,150 feet) or more. The young may be found inshore in shallow water.
Thresher Shark Range
The thresher shark is a summer visitor to the Canadian Atlantic region. They have been captured from July to November, but most frequently during August and September. The thresher ranges through all warm and temperate areas of the worlds oceans. Its northernmost range in the western Atlantic is eastern Newfoundland and it ranges all the way down the Atlantic to the West Indies and northern South America.
There are three extant thresher shark species, all in the genus Alopias. The possible existence of a hitherto unrecognized fourth species was revealed during the course of a 1995 allozyme analysis by Blaise Eitner. This species is apparently found in the eastern Pacific off Baja California, and has before been misidentified as the bigeye thresher. Thus far, it is only known from muscle samples and no aspect of its morphology has been documented
Animal Unique
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