Page 19 - Super Shark Encyclopedia

STATS AND FACTS

LENGTH OF FIN SPINES
Like many sharks
in 1 2 3
of the shallows, the
horn shark is built
cm 2 4 6 8
more for clambering
over the bottom 1¼–2¼ in (3–6 cm)
than for chasing SWIMMING DEPTH
prey around in
open water.
ft 10 20 30 40
m 3 6 9 12
6½–36 ft (2–11 m)
SWIMMING SPEED

mph 1 2
3
2
1 km/h 1 2¼ mph (3.6 km/h) 4
TIME TAKEN TO GRAB PREY
WALKING PREDATOR ⁄10
SEC
The two paired fins at the front of the
body are used for swimming, but in very
shallow water they work like stumpy
legs to crawl over rocks.
Dorsal fin
“For its size, the
Stinging spine
horn shark

has the strongest

bite of any shark ”

Pattern of dark brown
spots helps shark with
camouflage on sea floor

EGG CASES
Most types of sharks
give birth to live young, but
the horn shark lays eggs in a soft
leathery “purse.” For extra protection,
Tail
the mother picks up the case with her
notch
mouth and wedges it into a rocky AMAZING ANATOMY
crevice—where its corkscrew shape
helps keep it securely in place.
Over a few days it hardens to form California horn shark
a protective casing. This prevents Different species of horn sharks
predators from getting to the egg are found around the world and
case. It will take at least six months most have a distinctive pattern of dark
for the young sharks to hatch. markings on a lighter background. The
California horn shark’s skin is spotted. 17