Pelagic Thresher [Alopias pelagicus]
Description
The Pelagic Thresher Shark is a large, pelagic species found primarily in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is characterized by its slender body and long, whip-like tail, which it uses to stun prey. The Pelagic Thresher Shark is primarily a deep-water species, although it occasionally comes close to shore. It feeds on small schooling fish and squid, and is ovoviviparous, with females giving birth to litters of 2 pups.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Cartilaginous Fish
Chondrichthyes
|
| Order |
Mackerel Sharks
Lamniformes
|
| Family |
Thresher Sharks
Alopiidae
|
| Genus |
Common Thresher
Alopias
|