Latin name

Hemipristis elongata

Other name

Fossil shark

Identification

The snaggletooth shark has a slender, spindle-shaped body and a rounded, rather elongated snout. The large oval eyes are horizontally elongated and have flashing membranes. Behind the eyes are spatulas. The gill slits are very long, 3-3.5 times the length of the eye in adult sharks. The short mouth is curved into a broad trapezoid. The length of the mouth is 50-70% of its width. The lower jaw is truncated at the symphysis. There are lip furrows at the corners of the mouth. The upper teeth are triangular with a serrated caudal edge. The lower teeth are in the shape of an inverted "Y", with a long and thin central point that is bent into a hook shape, the serrations along the edges are absent. The teeth are visible even when the mouth is closed. 

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0.

The fins are sickle-shaped. The first dorsal fin is rather large, with its base between the bases of the pectoral and ventral fins. The height of the second dorsal fin is 2/3 to 3/5 of the height of the first dorsal fin. The posterior half of its base is above the base of the anal fin. The anal fin is considerably smaller than either dorsal fin. The upper tip of the caudal fin has a ventral notch. 

Fish colouring

The coloration of the snaggletooth shark is light gray to bronze with no markings.

Distribution

Widespread in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific off Pakistan, India, Thailand, China, Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia (Java Island), South Africa, Madagascar, Aden, Tanzania, Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and off the coast of Australia (Lizard Island and Bunbury).

Habitat

Tropical demersal species, their depth range is from 1 to 130 meters. 

Size

The maximum recorded length of a male of this species was 259 cm, but they are more commonly found at 200 cm. Maximum reported weight: 63.0 kg.  

Behavior

It is a coastal species that prefers to settle inshore and offshore on continental and island shelves. 

Food and feeding habits

Sharks in the Australian population feed primarily on bony fish and cephalopods. There is evidence that the diet of these sharks is much richer and includes a variety of bony fish, small sharks, rays and shrimp.

Reproduction

Reproduction by placental live birth. In addition, the embryo feeds on the yolk. The length of the newborns is 42-52 cm. There are from 2 to 11 newborns in a litter (average 6). Maximum recorded size is 240 cm. Males and females reach sexual maturity at 110 cm and 120 cm, respectively. Mating occurs in June, ovulation in September, and parturition in April. Pregnancy lasts 7-8 months. 

Fishing

These sharks are caught by artisanal fishermen using fixed or floating bottom gillnets, longlines and hook-and-line nets, mainly off the coasts of Pakistan, India and Thailand. 

Relationship with a person

The species is considered potentially dangerous to humans due to its large size and sharp teeth, but no attacks have been recorded. Its meat is eaten and its waste is used to make fishmeal. In India, the meat of these fish is considered the best among sharks. In addition, the fins are exported and the liver fat is used to produce vitamins.