The Port Jackson shark is a nocturnal type of bullhead shark that is found in the southern coast of Australia, including at Port Jackson from which its name was derived from. Despite this, it was actually believed to have originated from South Africa. It is a migratory shark species, which travels south in the summer and travels north to breed during the winter. They eat hard-shelled mollusks, sea urchins, crustaceans, and fish.
Skeleton of a Port Jackson shark
The Port Jackson shark is a distinctive blunt-head shark which lays eggs. It has a big head and forehead ridges that are prominent. It also has dark brown markings on its light grey-brown body. These distinguishable markings cross the eyes, and run towards the back towards the first dorsal fin and cross the body make it easy to identify this species. They also have spines at the edge of the dorsal fins, which is thought to be poisonous. In addition, Port Jackson sharks have small mouths and their nostrils are connected to their mouth.
Their teeth are considered the most distinguishable feature of all. Unlike most sharks, its front teeth are small, sharp and pointed but their back teeth are actually flat and blunt. However, when they are young, they have sharper teeth. These teeth are helpful for the food that they eat as they are absolutely prefect for crushing.
Male Port Jackson sharks become sexually mature between 8 and 10 years old, while female sharks mature when they are 11 to 14 years old. They lay eggs annually. Their breeding season started in August and continues until November. During this time, the female Port Jackson shark lays eggs in pairs every 10 to 14 days. Their eggs mature in 10-11 months before they hatch from their egg sac. Their babies are known as neonates, but sadly they have a 89% chance of dying even before they are born.
The Port Jackson shark is not an endangered species as they do not have any importance to humans. No recordings of attacks have occurred, even though there is a danger that they could harm humans. Its predators include the crested horn shark, which eats the Port Jackson shark’s eggs. Other threats may include white sharks and bluntnose sevengill sharks.