Let's Talk About Sharks

We want to teach you all about Squalus acanthias, the dogfish shark! Scroll to learn more.

Tidepool Tim Talks Anatomy

Location

Location

Spiny dogfish can be found all over the world in cooler, temperate oceans. They like to stick close to the seafloor but can also swim in open water. You’ll often find them in the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans, hanging out in both shallow coastal areas and deep waters as far down as 3,000 feet. These sharks are super adaptable and can live in all kinds of ocean environments, from estuaries to the deep sea.

Anatomy

Dogfish sharks are small, speedy sharks with some cool features! Their skin feels rough, like sandpaper, which helps them swim faster and stay safe. Instead of bones, their bodies are made of cartilage, like your nose or ears. They don’t have a swim bladder like other fish, so they use a big, oily liver to help them float. Plus, their intestines have a spiral shape that helps them soak up lots of nutrients from their food. Dogfish are full of amazing adaptations that help them thrive in the ocean!

Diet

spiny dogfish are called opportunistic feeders. This means that they will eat anything that is available. Prey that are often available are small, schooling pelagic fish like herring, and small invertebrates like shrimp, crab, and squid.

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