Fact Sheet

Appearance:
An unmistakable shark with a flat, bladelike, elongated snout and very small eyes. Very long-cusped teeth in long, protrusible jaws. No nictitating membrane. Small dorsal fins, low and rounded. Anal fin is larger than dorsal fins. Pectoral fins small. Pelvic fins large, bigger than dorsal fins. No precaudal pit, no keels.

Coloration:
Pinkish-white with bluish fins. Dead specimen turn brownish.

Distribution:
Western Atlantic: French Guiana. Eastern Atlantic: Bay of Biscay, Madeira, Portugal, South Africa. Western Indian Ocean: South Africa. Western Pacific: Japan, Australia.

Biology:
Little-known species. Lives in deeper water, down to 1200m, close to bottom. Inhabits outer shelf and upper slope areas. The unique bladelike snout may be used as a forward-projecting prey detector.

Feeding:
Fishes, cephalopods and crustaceans.

Size:
Average size between 200cm and 300cm, maximum total length 350cm.

Reproduction:
Unknown..

Similar species:
Unmistakable.

Endangerment:
Unknown.

Danger to humans:
Harmless.