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Pygmy sharks are small deep-sea sharks that are only about 22 centimeters long. They have a unique way of hunting their prey, which includes small fish and crustaceans. Pygmy sharks have bioluminescent organs on their undersides that help attract prey. They also have a special type of photophore, which is a light-producing organ, that they use to mimic the light from the sun. This makes them appear invisible to their prey and helps them sneak up on them. Pygmy sharks are fascinating creatures with unique adaptations that allow them to thrive in their deep-sea environment.
Wild Animals
A spined pygmy shark, or a creepy finger puppet? See more pictures of sharks.
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When it comes to survival in the ocean, size is a huge factor. Sharks like the great white, bull, and tiger sharks have an advantage due to their large size. The bigger they are, the fewer predators they have to worry about since most fish feed on smaller prey. However, the spined pygmy shark, squaliolus laticaudus, is an exception to this rule. Growing to only about 7 to 9 inches in length, the pygmy has developed some unique tricks to avoid becoming prey to larger predators.
Despite its small size, the spined pygmy shark isn’t an endangered species. It’s actually one of the few sharks that isn’t threatened. One reason for this is that it lives in the deep waters of the ocean, making it difficult for humans to spot. Another reason is that it doesn’t pose a threat to humans and isn’t commonly fished for its meat. As a result, researchers haven’t spent much time studying this mysterious little shark.
In this article, we’ll explore what is known about the pygmy shark’s behavior and characteristics. We’ll take a look at where it lives, what it eats, and how it avoids becoming prey to larger predators.
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The World’s Smallest Shark
Illustrated side view of Pygmy Shark — Squaliosus laticaudus
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Although the spined pygmy shark was once believed to be the world’s smallest shark, it was later discovered that the dwarf lantern shark is actually an inch shorter. Like the pygmy, the lantern shark is also a deepwater fish. This is because the deeper you go in the ocean, the less likely you are to encounter larger predators.
Despite their small size, pygmy sharks are formidable predators in the ocean, preying on shrimp, small squid, and lantern fish. They have a unique appearance, resembling a slender, grey to black shark with lighter-colored fins and a pug nose. Their lower teeth are larger and more serrated than their uppers, and they have a pointy spine in the front of their first dorsal fin, making them different from other sharks. Pygmy sharks can also glow in the dark, which may serve as an attractant for prey or provide camouflage from predators. They live at depths of about 6,500 feet during the day but migrate to depths of about 650 feet at night to hunt. While little is known about their life cycle and reproductive practices, they lay eggs that hatch after birth.
In contrast, pygmies are also a group of human hunter-gatherer tribes found in Africa, Asia, and South America known for their small stature. Adult males are rarely over 5 feet tall, and females don’t grow more than four and a half feet. Their high mortality rate, ranging between 16 and 24 years old, was long attributed to environmental conditions and poor nutrition, but recent research suggests that their reproductive capabilities are the reason they have not died out. Pygmy women can have babies sooner than other humans, allowing the tribe to survive despite their short stature.
Additional Information
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More Useful Links
- Discovery Channel’s Guide to Sharks
- MarineBio.org
- The Shark Research Institute
- Sharks (Florida Museum of Natural History)
- International Shark Attack File
- Africa Guide
Sources Cited
- “Pygmy Sharks.” Shark Foundation, 2008. http://www.shark.ch/Database/Search/species.html?sh_id=1114
- “Pygmy Sharks.” sheppardsoftware.com, 2008. http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/animals/fish/shark_pygmyshark.htm
- “Spined Pigmy Shark.” discoverychannel.co.uk, 2008. http://www.discoverychannel.co.uk/sharks/detail/pygmy/index.shtml
- “Spined Pygmy Shark.” nmh.org, 2008. http://www.nhm.org/research/fishes/sharksff/sharkimg/sff5.html
- “Spined Pygmy Shark.” sharks.findouthow.org, 2008. http://sharks.findoutnow.org/article-13-spined-pygmy-shark.html
- Swaminathan, Nikhil. “Not So Tall Tale: Why Pygmies Evolved to Be Shorter.” Scientific American. Dec. 12, 2007. http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=why-pygmies-evolved-to-be-shorter
FAQ
1. What are Pygmy Sharks?
Pygmy Sharks are a family of small, deep-sea sharks that belong to the order Squaliformes. They are also known as dwarf lanternsharks because of the photophores on their bodies that emit a faint glow. There are only two known species of Pygmy Sharks: the southern Pygmy Shark and the northern Pygmy Shark. They are both found in the deep waters of the Pacific Ocean.
2. How do Pygmy Sharks hunt?
Pygmy Sharks are carnivorous and feed on small fish, squid, and crustaceans. They use their sharp teeth to catch their prey and their small size allows them to easily maneuver through the water. They are also able to camouflage themselves to blend in with their surroundings and avoid predators.
3. What is the size of a Pygmy Shark?
Pygmy Sharks are one of the smallest shark species in the world, measuring only 8-10 inches in length. The southern Pygmy Shark is slightly larger than the northern Pygmy Shark. Despite their small size, they are fully grown adults and are capable of reproducing.
4. How do Pygmy Sharks reproduce?
Pygmy Sharks are oviparous, which means they lay eggs. The female Pygmy Shark will lay a small number of eggs, usually only two or three, which are then fertilized by the male. The eggs are then left to develop on their own, hatching into fully formed baby sharks that are ready to hunt and survive on their own.
5. Are Pygmy Sharks endangered?
There is not enough information to determine the population of Pygmy Sharks, but they are not currently listed as an endangered species. However, their deep-sea habitat makes it difficult to study and understand their populations. The greatest threat to Pygmy Sharks is commercial fishing, as they are often caught unintentionally in deep-sea fishing nets.
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