Pacific smalltail shark

Pacific smalltail shark
Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Superorder: Selachimorpha
Order: Carcharhiniformes
Family: Carcharhinidae
Genus: Carcharhinus
Species: C. cerdale
Binomial name
Carcharhinus cerdale
C. H. Gilbert, 1898

The Pacific smalltail shark (Carcharhinus cerdale) is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae. It was described in 1898, but later mistakenly merged with Carcharhinus porosus. The mistake was corrected in 2011.[1][2]

It is relatively small with skin of a light-brownish color, and it can also be found in the Pacific Ocean. Not much is known about this species of shark, and there have been no recorded attacks on humans from this animal. It resembles the copper shark and a sand tiger shark, yet it is much smaller than both. It is probably not dangerous toward humans. It also has a small, slender body, and five gills in front of its pectoral fins.

Diet

The Pacific smalltail shark feeds on rays, fish, and small invertebrates. Some adults even feed on the young of other sharks.

References

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