Milk Shark

Threat Level: low

MILK SHARK

Scientific name.......Rhizoprionodon Acutus

Family name...........Carcharhinidae

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

One of the most common small requiem species is the milk shark. They have a long, slender body, a parabola-like snout and relatively large eyes near the tip of the mouth. The first dorsal fin is much larger than the second dorsal fin. The pectoral fins are short and stout, and the pelvic fins are small. Long labial folds at the corners of the mouth distingush the milk shark from all other requiem sharks in its range.

SIZE

The maximum size of milk sharks are around 6 feet, smaller individuals about 3.6 feet. Females reach sexual maturity when about two years old and about 2 1/2 feet long. They measure about 10 inches long at birth.

TEETH

They have oblique narrow triangular smooth-edged teeth.

COLOR

Milk sharks are a brownish red to gray with a white underbelly, most fin tips slightly pale; juvenile dorsal and upper caudal fin tips dark ( sometimes in adults ).

FEEDING HABITS

Their diet consists of small fishes ( herring, sardines, croaker, mojarra, and flatfish ) and invertibrates ( squid, octopus, snails, shrimp, and crabs ). They are a major food source for large sharks.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

They seem to spend most of their time in small groups or large schools foraging for food near the bottom.

HABITAT

Milk sharks are found in Eastern Atlantic, Indo-West Pacific, also Mediterranean Sea ( Gulf of Taranto off Italy ). They are found in large numbers in coastal areas and continental shelves to depths of 655 feet. Often off sandy beaches, sometimes in estuaries ( not very low salinity ).

LIFE SPAN

Unknown

REPRODUCTION

These sharks are viviparous, with yolk-sac placenta, and produce one to eight pups per litter ( usually two to five ), after one year gestation period.

SHARK ATTACKS

Harmless

POPULATION REPORT

Common.