Atlantic Weasel Shark

Shark Database | Ground Sharks - Carcharhiniformes | Atlantic Weasel Shark

About the Atlantic Weasel Shark

The Atlantic Weasel Shark is a species of ground shark in the order Carcharhiniformes. It lives in the eastern central and southeast Atlantic, from Mauritania to Namibia, at depths of up to 100 m (328 ft), but is most commonly found in shallow waters between 30 m to 70 m (98–230 ft).

Description

Atlantic weasel sharks are light grey to bronze, with vertical yellow stripes running along their slender bodies. They have two dorsal fins, the first being larger than the second and positioned in front of the pelvic fins. Their two pectoral fins are long and pointed, while the anal fin is smaller than the second dorsal fin and the caudal fin is asymmetrical.

They have a moderately long snout and large, oval eyes protected by internal nictitating eyelids. Their small, rounded mouth contains broad-based upper teeth with small cusps and longer, smooth-edged lower teeth.

Biology and Behaviour

Atlantic weasel sharks can reach about 138 cm (54.3) in length, although most individuals are around 100 cm long. Females become sexually mature at 75 cm to 106 cm (29.5–41.7 in) in length, while males mature at around 80 to 92.5 cm (31.5–36.4 in). Their diet consists mainly of cephalopods, such as squid and octopuses, but they also eat small bony fish.

Reproduction

Atlantic Weasel Sharks are viviparous, meaning that embryos develop inside the uterus and are nourished through a placental connection. Females give birth to between 1 and 8 pups after a gestation period of about 12 months. At birth, pups measure approximately 47 cm (18.5 in) long.

Conservation and Tourism

Atlantic weasel sharks are strongly affected by fishing pressure throughout their range. They are often caught as bycatch in demersal longlines, hook-and-line fisheries, gillnets and bottom trawls. The species is used for human consumption and processed into fishmeal.

The IUCN lists Atlantic weasel sharks as Endangered because of serious population declines and increasing fishing pressure. Over the last 39 years, populations are estimated to have declined by 50% to 79% globally, and by more than 90% in Mauritania.

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