General Description

Large slender shark with 7 pairs of gill slits, a single dorsal fin positioned far back on the body, a broad head with a short, blunt snout. Grey to greyish-brown above with scattered black and white speckles and spots; pale below. To a maximum length of 3 m, and a weight of 107 kg.

Biology

Opportunistic predators with sharp, jagged teeth in the upper jaw to grab and hold prey, and large, wide saw-like teeth in the lower jaw for cutting and tearing flesh. Although quite sluggish, Broadnose sharks are unpredictable and may be aggressive, and are responsible for a number of attacks on humans. Males mature at 1.5 m, females at 2.2 m.

Habitat

Large individuals often inhabit offshore waters, although they are also found near the bottom in deeper areas of bays and harbours in depths of 0-135 m. Smaller individuals are more commonly found inshore. Usually seen cruising over rocky reef habitats, as well as over sandy and muddy bottoms.

Open water

Distribution guide

Worldwide. Southern Australia.

Species Group

Sharks and rays › Sharks

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

3 m

Diet

Carnivore

Harmful

Potentially dangerous to humans, with attacks reported.

Commercial Species

Yes

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Data Deficient