Rare Facts About Leopard Shark, often referred to as the “leopards of the sea,” thrive in a narrow band of ocean and inlet areas along the Pacific coast, from Oregon to the Gulf of California. They are among the most common sharks found off the coast of California.
Named for their distinctive appearance, these sharks feature dark, saddle-shaped splotches along their fins and upper body, set against a silvery or gray background.
Rare Facts About Leopard Shark Details
During the warm summer months, large numbers of leopard sharks migrate to San Diego, predominantly pregnant females. They are drawn to the warm, shallow, and protected waters of the Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve in La Jolla, California.
Sink or Swim
Leopard sharks are well-adapted to life near the ocean floor, spending most of their time just a foot or so above the seabed. Unlike most fish, which use a swim bladder to regulate their buoyancy, leopard sharks lack this sac-like organ. Instead, they store oil in their large livers to counterbalance their body weight. This adaptation makes them slightly less buoyant than the surrounding water, causing them to sink when they are not actively swimming.
A Sixth and Seventh Sense
In addition to the five senses humans share with them—sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch—leopard sharks possess a sixth sense called the lateral line. This allows them to detect pressure changes in the water. Furthermore, sharks have a seventh sense located near their snouts, known as the ampullae de Lorenzini.This sense enables them to detect electromagnetic fields emitted by all living creatures. Leopard sharks can sense these electromagnetic signals from up to three feet away, helping them locate hidden prey beneath the sand or camouflaged as rocks or plants.
Made for Seafloor Feeding
The leopard shark is perfectly adapted for feeding on the seafloor. Its mouth, located on the flat underside of its head, opens downward, allowing it to skim above the sandy surface. Juvenile leopard sharks feed on crabs, clam siphons, fish eggs, and the burrowing, hot dog-shaped fat innkeeper worm.
As leopard sharks mature, their diet shifts to include more fish and fewer crabs. They have been known to consume smooth hound sharks, bat rays, and even octopuses. 
Hunting Buried Prey
How does a leopard shark capture buried prey? Divers have observed these sharks swimming stealthily just above the sand, searching for the fleshy siphon of a clam protruding two or three inches above the seafloor. If the shark is quick enough, it grabs the siphon with its teeth and yanks it out of the sand, occasionally pulling up the entire clam.When the clam senses danger and retracts its siphon, or when the shark targets innkeeper worms, the shark uses a different strategy. It thrusts its nose into the sand and, with a powerful twist of its body, unearths a pile of sand. If the shark is fortunate, it will find a clam or worm in the process.
Popularity and Conservation of the Leopard Shark
The leopard shark, known for its firm, light, and tasty meat, is popular among anglers and spearfishes along the shore. Despite being classified as a species of “least concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, studies suggest that leopard shark populations may be vulnerable to over fishing. One key reason is their slow growth rate, taking about a decade to reach maturity.
To protect these sharks, regulations have set a size limit for “keepers.” Currently, anglers can only keep leopard sharks that are at least 36 inches (91 cm) long. Additionally, due to their striking appearance, leopard sharks are also popular in aquariums. However, it is important to remember that keeping leopard sharks below this size limit is illegal if they are taken from California waters.
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