The Family Chlamydoselachidae includes the Frilled Shark and Southern African Frilled Shark, both which have six pairs of frilled gill slits, the first connected under the throat; elongated, snake-like bodies; brilliant white three-pronged teeth on upper and lower jaws; and a mouth centered foremost on the head, a position is called “terminal.” Most people don’t know there are actually two species of Frilled sharks, which are very hard to tell apart externally. The differences in the cranium is what really sets the species apart. These primative sharks swim with their jaws agape, showing off their brilliant white teeth contrasting against their dark bodies. It is believe their teeth lure prey to their mouths.
Profile Species: Frilled Shark (Chlamydoselachidae anguineus)
Distribution: Patchy world-wide between 20 to 1500 meters deep.
Habitat: Off-shore shelves and upper continental and island slopes.
Behaviour: Swims with its mouth wide open.
Biology: Viviparous. Two to 12 pups per litter.
Diet: Active deep-water squid and fish.
*Brought to you by Sharks of the World, 2014.