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Sri Lanka's wildlife encyclopedia

Crocodile Shark

කිඹුල් මෝරා முதலைச் சுறா

Pseudocarcharias kamoharai

Least concern

Crocodile Shark
NOAA Observer Program · Public domain

Overview

The crocodile shark is a species of mackerel shark and the only extant member of the family Pseudocarchariidae. A specialized inhabitant of the mesopelagic zone, the crocodile shark can be found worldwide in tropical waters from the surface to a depth of 590 m (1,940 ft). It performs a diel vertical migration, staying below a depth of 200 m (660 ft) during the day and ascending into shallower water at night to feed. Typically measuring only 1 m (3.3 ft) in length, the crocodile shark is the smallest living mackerel shark. It can be distinguished by its elongated cigar-shaped body, extremely large eyes, and relatively small fins.

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Sources

  1. Wikipedia (EN): Crocodile shark — CC BY-SA 4.0