Galapagos Catshark

About the Galapagos Catshark

The Galapagos Catshark was recently described in 2012. They are black-brown with an asymmetrical pattern of light spots and blotches with a lighter underside.

They are deep sea sharks that are presumably endemic to the Galapagos Islands with a depth range between 428 m to 562 m.

Biology and Behaviour:

Galapagos catsharks have a snout that are bluntly rounded, a short head and a short tail. They have a long mouth that reaches past the first point of their eyes. Their second dorsal and anal fin are almost the same size.

They live near the sea floor over flat areas that are either sandy or a mixture of sand and mud. They presumably eat fish and small invertebrates.  Its caudal fin is asymmetrical and narrow. Galapagos catsharks can grow to a maximum of 45.3 cm.

Reproduction and Lifespan:

There is currently no information on reproduction and lifespan for Galapagos catsharks. 

Conservation and Tourism:

Galapagos catsharks have not yet been evaluated for the IUCN Red List.

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Galapagos Catshark Gallery