Gummy shark

Gummy shark

Australian smooth hound, Flake, Sweet william, Smooth dog-shark

Kingdom
Phylum
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Mustelus antarcticus
Population size
500
Life Span
16 years
Weight
31
68
kglbs
kg lbs 
Length
157-175
61.8-68.9
cminch
cm inch 

The gummy shark (Mustelus antarcticus), also known as the Australian smooth hound, flake, sweet william or smooth dog-shark, is a species of ground shark in the genus Mustelus of the family Triakidae. These small to medium-sized bottom-dwelling sharks are found mostly in, but are not limited to, the area around the southern seas of Australia and is commonly baited and fished for cuisine because of its taste and market prices. According to a 2021 paper by White, Arunrugstichai & Naylorn (2021), Mustelus walkeri (eastern spotted gummy shark) is the same animal as M. antarcticus. One theory is that M. walkeri is a subpopulation of M. antarcticus.

Appearance

This species is a slender shark with a darker grey top with white spots and a silvery-white underbelly. The gummy shark gets its name from its flat, plate-like teeth which it uses to crush its shelled and non-shelled prey. Male gummy sharks can reach a maximum length of 157 cm (62 in), and females can reach up to 175 cm (69 in). The minimum size of a grown male or female is 45 cm (18 in). At birth, these sharks measure between 30 and 35 cm. Said measurements are taken from the rear-most gill slit to the base of the tail fin.

Climate zones

Gummy shark habitat map
Gummy shark
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Habits and Lifestyle

Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

Mating Habits

BABY CARRYING
16

Population

References

1. Gummy shark Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gummy_shark
2. Gummy shark on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/39355/68634159

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