Horn shark

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Horn shark
Heterodontus francisci
Conservation status
Data deficient (DD)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Chondrichthyes Subclass: Elasmobranchii Order: Heterodontiformes Family: Heterodontidae Genus: Heterodontus Species: H. francisci
Binomial name
Heterodontus francisci Girard, 1855

Sharks Portal

The horn shark, Heterodontus francisci, is a bullhead shark. It can reach a size of 122 cm and is brown with black spots. Its range is from central California to the Gulf of California, Mexico, and probably also in Ecuador and Peru. It is mostly nocturnal and appears sluggish in the daytime.

Its habitat includes rocky reefs, kelp beds, sand flats, crevices, and caverns in a depth range from 2 to 150 m. Adults tend to return to the same resting spot every day. It feeds on invertebrates, primarily sea urchins, crabs, probably abalone, and other fish.

The horn shark is oviparous. It can bite if it is harassed.

[edit] References

• Heterodontus francisci (TSN 159791). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 18 April 2006.
• "Heterodontus francisci". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. February 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.