Facts about Horn Sharks
Horn shark or Heterodontus fransisci is a member of Heterodontidae family. This sharks gets its name from the two horns that stick up in front of the dorsal fins. Horn sharks range along the east Pacific coast from central California to central America. It can attain a maximum length of 4 feet(i.e. 120cm). Males are larger than females. Its habitat includes rocky reefs, kelp beds, sand flats, crevices, and caverns in a depth range from 2 to 150 m. Adults tend to return to the same resting spot every day. This fish lays large spiral-shaped egg capsules, each containing a single embryo. They look like drill-bits. Horn shark lives upto 12 years. The horn shark lives near the sea bed in temperate waters to depths of 150m (500ft). It favours kelp beds, small caves and underwater caverns. Their behaviour is largely nocturnal, they hide under rocks during the day. They move slowly and are only aggressive if provoked. Horn sharks mate in December and January. Females lay spiral egg cases with a drill bit-like screw thread, from February to April. The soft eggs are inserted into rock crevices for protection until the cases harden. The young sharks hatch out after 7-9 months. Their only predator is man. They are hunted for sport and their spines are used in jewellery. |
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