Family: Hexanchidae, Cow Sharks view all from this family
Description Skin color ranges from tan to brown, or as dark as
black. It has a light colored lateral line down the sides and on
the fins' edges. There are darker colored spots on the sides.
The general body shape is a heavy, powerful body with a broad
head with small eyes. The pupils are black and the eye color is
a fluorescent blue green. One dorsal fin located near the caudal
fin. Pectoral fins are broad with rounded edges. There are six
gill slits which gives the shark its name. Most common sharks
today have only 5 gill slits. As an adult the bluntnose sixgill
shark can grow to a massive size. True body length is determined
by the gender of the individual. Males generally average between
309 and 330 cm. Females tend to be larger, averaging between 350
and 420 cm. This shark can attain a length of up to 550 cm.
Dimensions Up to 16' (4.8 m). Habitat Ocean or bay shallows.
Range Southeast, Florida, California, Northwest, Western Canada.
Discussion Alth