Saw Shark has got this name because of its saw-like snout. They live in temperate waters of the coastal areas, usually on depths below 130 feet. They are usually found off South Africa, Australia, and eastern Asia. These slender sharks use their saw-like snout for hunting and competing with other sharks.
They belong to the family Pristiophoridae. These sharks grow to a maximum of about 5 feet in length and can weigh up to 19 pounds. They can survive more than 15 years in the wild.
Quick Facts: –
- There are two genera of saw sharks. Pliotrema has six pairs of gill openings and Pristiophorus has five pairs of gill openings.
- In the middle of the snout, they have a pair of barbels which are used as a sensory organ.
- Their mating season takes place seasonally in the coastal areas. Female individuals mate once in every two years.
- They can give birth to 3 to 22 babies at once after a gestation period of 12 months. The average litter size is 10.
- There are a total of five described, and some undescribed species that have been observed.
- These sharks reach maturity when they become 2 years old. At this age, they are able to fend for themselves.
- They can live as a solitary creature, or be a part of a group. These groups are called a school.
- They are carnivorous and their diet consists of various types of fish, crustaceans and squids.
