"GHOST SHARK"
Ghost sharks, or chimaeras, are cartilaginous fish related to sharks and rays, known for their unique anatomical features and eerie appearance. They inhabit deep ocean waters and are characterized by their long, slender bodies, large black eyes, and a distinctive spine in front of their dorsal fin, which they use for defense.
A GNERAL DESCRIPTIVE IMAGE OF THE GHOST SHARK
- Size: Maximum length of about 49 inches (125 cm), with some species potentially exceeding six feet.
- Coloration: Ranges from black to pale blue to brownish grey; skin is smooth and lacks scales.
- Diet: Primarily feeds on benthic invertebrates such as shellfish, mollusks, and worms.
- Depth Range: Typically found at depths of 200 to 2,600 meters, primarily near the seafloor.
- Geographical Range: Present in most of the world's oceans, excluding Antarctic waters.
- Reproductive Strategy: Oviparous; lays two keratinous egg cases during spring, which incubate for about eight months.
- Hatching Size: Young ghost sharks measure approximately six inches long at hatching.
- Feeding Mechanism: Utilizes electroreceptors located in the club-like projection on its snout to detect prey in dark waters.
- Defensive Mechanism: Possesses a venomous spine located just in front of the dorsal fin, which can cause injury to potential predators and humans.
- Human Consumption: Caught commercially in regions like southern Australia and New Zealand, often sold as "silver trumpeter" or "whitefish."
- Threats: Overfishing, bycatch in deep-sea nets, and environmental changes such as climate change and ocean acidification.
- Predators: Larger fish, including sharks, pose a threat to ghost sharks.
