WHAT TO LOOK FOR
This shark is easily identifiable by the dark tip on its snout. No interdorsal ridge, but it has small pectoral fins, dorsal fins with short rear tips: the first is small, and the second is moderately large.

COLOR
The shark has a dark (black) tip on its snout. Its second dorsal and upper caudal fin tips are also dark.

SIZE
The shark is 1.1 to 1.6 ft [38 to 50 cm] at birth. Males mature at a length of 3.2 to 3.5 ft [97 to 106 cm] and females mature at approximately 3.4 ft [103 cm]. Their maximum length can be 4.5 to 6.6 ft [1.3 to 2 m] at the most.

HABITAT
Coastal continental and insular shelves, mainly over sand, shell and coral, between 60 to 210 ft [18 to 64 m] deep.

DISTRIBUTION
West Atlantic: southern USA to the south of Brazil.

BIOLOGY

• General – Pups may mature around age 2. These sharks breed in alternate years, and live for approximately 10 years.

• Reproduction – Viviparous, yolk-sac placenta. These sharks have 3-6 pups per litter after a 10-11 month gestation period.

BEHAVIOR
This shark may perform a ‘hunch’ display (back arched, caudal lowered, head raised), when they feel threatened. They migrate short distances seasonally.

STATUS
They are fished for food in large numbers, and often kept in public aquaria.