The Dwarf lanternshark is a bathypelagic species found off the coasts of Colombia and Venezuela, occurring. The Dwarf lanternshark appears to reach a maximum size of about 20 cm TL. This means increased protection for these particular sharks, while still allowing legal and sustainable trade.Ī healthy ocean needs healthy shark populations - and endangered sharks need our help. About the Dwarf Lanternshark Biology and Description. In March of 2013, as a result of tremendous international cooperation, five shark species were listed by CITES-an international organization. For these species, overfishing, bycatch, and shark finning are contributing factors in their decline.īut thanks to a global, growing awareness about vulnerable shark species, many countries are implementing shark fin bans – even in places where shark fin soup is considered a delicacy and cultural tradition.Ĭountries around the world have been working together to promote the adoption of shark conservation and management measures. While the majority of shark species have sustainable populations, a number of them have been shrinking at an alarming rate. What makes them unique also makes them vulnerable. Sharks take many years to mature, have only a few young at a time, and are highly migratory. They play a vital role in keeping the ecosystem healthy by feeding on animals that are lower in the food chain.

Most sharks are apex predators and sit at the top of the food chain. What sharks do have in common is the role they play in their ecosystems. At a mere six inches, the dwarf lantern is one of the smallest sharks and can fit in the palm of your hand. It can grow to more than 40 feet – that’s as large as a school bus. What do you think of these amazing sharks? Give us your “fintastic” thoughts in the comments section.Did you know that sharks have existed for more than 400 million years? There are more than 450 species of sharks throughout the ocean and they come in all different colors and sizes. This species swims very slowly through the freezing waters of the Arctic searching for a meal of fish, although they occasionally eat reindeer, polar bears, and other mammals that fall through the ice above them.īut perhaps their coolest feature is their longevity – females are thought not to reach sexual maturity until 150 years.įun Fact: The oldest known Greenland shark is also the oldest known vertebrate at over 500 years old. It can reach up to 23 feet long and weigh in at 2,260 pounds. The Greenland Shark is one of the largest. Bioluminescence is used mainly for the attraction of the prey.įun Fact: The Cookiecutter Shark is able to emit light up to 3 hours after death. These can produce a continuous greenish light or a strobe-like, flashing light. Like the Lantern Sharks, Cookiecutter Sharks have light-emitting organs, called photophores, on the underside of the body. The head of this shark is long and flattened and takes up one-third of its body. It likes to hang out deep in the ocean around 1,000 to 1,500 feet below the surface near the coast of South America. A nice, round hole is left as a souvenir on its victim. It only grows to six inches long (females are slightly larger). They then latch on with their suction cup style lips, bite and then twist. They can be found at depths of 3,200 to 12,100 feet.Ĭookiecutter sharks approach their victims from below. They dwell in the deep warm ocean waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It can take on giants like whales and larger sharks, and have even been known to mistakenly try to bite submarines. The Cookiecutter shark is fearless and small (20-inch). This shark has 20 to 23 rows of teeth in the upper jaw and 30 to 34 rows of teeth in the lower jaw.įun Fact: No one really knows how long the Dwarf Lantern Shark lives. It uses sharp teeth that are designed for cutting and slicing to catch its food. The Dwarf Lantern Shark likes to dine on krill. It will also become invisible to the predators that swim below them (glowing belly masks the silhouette of the shark when looking from below). In darker water, the light attracts smaller animals, which the shark preys upon. Its lit-up belly blends in with sunlight streaming down from above when a predator is looking up. These help them camouflage when they feed in shallower water. This ability comes from its light-emitting organs (called photophores) that run along its belly and fins. This shark can also glow in the dark which makes them bioluminescent. Because this shark lives in mostly darkness, its eyes are large and elongated. It only grows to six inches long (females are slightly larger). Today, we have three mind-blowing sharks that will astound you. ( Leave a comment ) Spectacular Sharks!.

Dwarf lantern shark