Portuguese Dogfish Shark

Facts about Portuguese Dogfish Sharks, "Scientific name for Portuguese Dogfish Shark is Centroscymnus coelolepis". "Scientific name for Shark is Selachimorpha". "Fear of Sharks is Selachophobia" or "Galeophobia-is derived from the Greek words (galeos)"

The Portuguese Dogfish Shark is one of the deepest dwelling species going as deep as 3300 feet. The name may suggest a Portugal base for this species but it is common to find this species in all parts of the world.

The Portuguese Dogfish Shark bears its name from the fact that the original specimen was discovered in Portugal. It appears like a bony fish rather than a shark and its dark brown in color. It has a length of 5 feet 2 inches (1.58 meters), lacks a bottom fin and has broad dermal denticles.

The Portuguese Dogfish Shark does not die fast; and it is known to live up to 70 years. This species is in the somniosidae family believed to be the family of sleeper sharks. This family consists of slow and sluggish sharks.

The Portuguese Dogfish Shark is very common in the western North Atlantic Ocean, the western Mediterranean Sea, the eastern Atlantic and the western Pacific Ocean.

The adult and pregnant female Portuguese Dogfish Shark is known to stay on shallower waters as compared to younger sharks that prefer greater depths.

The Portuguese Dogfish Shark species has spear-like upper teeth all endowed with narrow cusps/points; and blade-like lower teeth that are larger than the upper teeth.

The prey of the Portuguese Dogfish Shark species is never lucky whenever they come in its sight as it doesn’t seem to ever miss its target. Some of its prey includes: cephalopods, benthic invertebrates and a few other sharks. At times the Portuguese Dogfish Shark will behave like an opportunistic feeder grabbing anything that is available if it is extremely hungry.

The Portuguese Dogfish Shark is believed to prefer deep waters to avoid competition from other sharks that have similar feeding habits.

The Portuguese Dogfish Shark species compared to other sharks has a long gestation period that lasts for over a year. The Portuguese Dogfish Shark species has a very low reproduction rate and its reproductive maturity occurs very late. The male Portuguese Dogfish Shark matures at 33 1/2 inches (85 cm) while the female matures at 3 feet 2 inches (1 meters). Otherwise the size of the body depends on the geographic location.