Marine Life

Snaggletooth shark

Dhaiy bulhi miyaru

Hemipristis elongatus

Hemipristis elongatus appears to be rare in the Maldives, with the only known record being a set of jaws seen on a R. Maduvari shark-netting dhoni operating in Haa Alifu Atoll, which were saved by one of the crew due to their unfamiliarity with the species. This is also believed to be the first record of this species from an oceanic island.

Details

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size: To at least 2.3 m; possibly to 2.4 m
color: Grey; paler below.
order: Carcharhiniformes
family: Hemigaleidae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/hemipristis-elongatus.png
habitat and biology: This species is found in coastal waters to a depth of 30 m, where it feeds on inshore pelagic and bottom fishes. It is viviparous, with a yolk-sac placenta, and typically produces 6-8 young per litter.
distinctive characters: A medium-sized shark has a blunt, rounded snout, with no teeth at the symphysis (midline) of the lower jaw. The lower teeth near the symphysis are long and strongly hooked, while the upper teeth are broad and curved with serrated edges on both sides. The gill opening is long, being over three times the length of the eye.