Salmon Shark
Lamna ditropis
Appearance
Salmon sharks are decent-sized sharks, often around 7 feet long, but some have reached up to 10 feet in length. These sharks are dark gray on the top of their body and on their fins. They are white on the underside, which is quite common for aquatic predators. They have rows of sharp teeth and 5 gills.
Range & Habitat
Salmon sharks primarily live in the North Pacific Ocean, from the Bering Sea down to southern California and from Japan to the Aleutian Islands. They are migratory by nature and inhabit both coastal and oceanic waters.
Reciprocal relationships
Sharks are notoriously misunderstood animals. Salmon sharks are often associated with shark attacks, when in reality, there are only about 60 shark attacks per year worldwide. Salmon sharks have never been associated with a shark attack, but they are the sister species of great white sharks and mako sharks. Because of this relation, they are often perceived as scary animals.
These sharks get their names from their primary prey: Pacific salmon! These sharks are endothermic, which means that they can regulate and maintain their core body and stomach temperatures above the surrounding water temperature. This gives them extra power and speed when swimming to catch salmon! Unfortunately, warmer ocean temperatures will impact the endothermic capability of these sharks. With warmer waters, these sharks will have to exert more energy to deliver oxygen throughout their bodies.
They are the apex predator in their ecosystems. Salmon sharks not only eat healthy fish, but they also eat fish that are sick and dying. This helps prevent the spread of disease amongst fish species.
These sharks get their names from their primary prey: Pacific salmon! These sharks are endothermic, which means that they can regulate and maintain their core body and stomach temperatures above the surrounding water temperature. This gives them extra power and speed when swimming to catch salmon! Unfortunately, warmer ocean temperatures will impact the endothermic capability of these sharks. With warmer waters, these sharks will have to exert more energy to deliver oxygen throughout their bodies.
They are the apex predator in their ecosystems. Salmon sharks not only eat healthy fish, but they also eat fish that are sick and dying. This helps prevent the spread of disease amongst fish species.
more information
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photo credit
Explorer Seamount
