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The shark species "Pelagic thresher"

Photo
Pelagic thresher
Pelagic thresher
Photo © Steve de Neef

Photo © Steve de Neef

Range Map
North America South America Africa Australia Europe Asia
North America South America Africa Australia Europe Asia
Pelagic thresher

Rough area of distribution

Taxonomy
Kingdom:
Animals (Animalia)
Phylum:
Vertebrates (Chordata)
Class:
Cartilagenous fishes (Chondrichthyes)
Order:
Mackerel sharks (Lamniformes)
Family:
Thresher sharks (Alopiidae)
Genus:
Alopias
Names
Scientific:
Alopias pelagicus
English:
Pelagic thresher , Smalltooth thresher
German:
Pazifischer Fuchshai
French:
Renard pelagique
Spanish:
Zorro pelagico
Appearance
Typical thresher shark with a very long tail, about half the length of the entire shark. Relatively small eyes. Conical snout. Straight and broad-tipped pectoral fins.
Coloration
Dark above. Ventral surface white, not extending over pectoral fin bases.
Distribution
Western Indian Ocean: South Africa to western Australia. Western Pacific: eastern Australia, New Caledonia, Tahiti. Central Pacific: Hawaii. Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California and Galapagos Islands.
Biology
Primarily oceanic species found from the surface down to a depth of approximately 150 cm. A little-known species. Very active, fast swimmer.
Diet
Small fishes that are herded together with their tails and then stunned or killed with it.
Size
Average size between 250 cm and 300 cm. Maximum total length at least 330 cm.
Reproduction
Aplacental viviparous (ovoviviparous), with possible uterine cannibalism. 2 pups per litter.
Similar Species
Looks similar to Bigeye thresher (but has much bigger eyes) and Thresher shark (which has more pointed pectoral fins).
Vulnerability
Category: Endangered (EN)
Criteria: A2bd
Last evaluated: 2019
Trend: Decreasing




© IUCN Red List 2024. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Version 2024-2.

Danger to Humans
Harmless.

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