Brown Smooth-hound
Mustelus henlei
Gummy Shark
Mustelus antarcticus
About
The gummy shark is a slender, bottom-dwelling shark named for its flat, plate-like teeth, which give its jaws a toothless look. It can reach up to 157 cm and around 30 kg.
Also known as: smooth dog-shark, white-spotted gummy shark, flake, australian smooth hound, sweet william
- Length
- 1.6 m
- Weight
- max 31 kg
- Depth
- up to 350 m
How to tell it apart
Several small grey sharks share this slender build, but many lack spotting. The scattered white spots across its grey back are the clearest mark to look for.
Appearance
This shark has a slim body, darker grey on top with scattered white spots, and a pale, silvery-white underside. Instead of sharp teeth, it has flat, plate-like teeth built for crushing rather than cutting.
Habitat
It lives on or near sandy seabeds, from shallow water down to about 80 m and occasionally to 350 m. It moves closer to shore at night to hunt.
Conservation
Fishing pressure and stress on nursery areas, including high salinity, are both concerns for this species' management, since it is also a common commercial catch in Australian waters.
Log it in Into the Blue
Describe what you saw and we name it, then keep every species you find in your Oceandex.
