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Range and Habitat: Pacific Ocean, from Oregon to California
in the United States and around the Baja Peninsula in Mexico.
A shallow water, coastal species that rests on the sandy bottom
among the rocks.
Description: Bold, black color pattern across its back,
5-6 feet in length.
Diet: Clams, crabs, bony fish, innkeeper worms and fish
eggs (bottom feeder).
Reproduction: Ovoviviparous, with a litter of from 4-29
young which are about 7 inches at birth. Life span of more than
20 years in captivity.
Miscellaneous: The meat of a leopard shark is considered
to have an excellent taste and is used for human consumption.
Studies on behavior during changing magnetic fields have been
done on this type of shark. They change direction when an induction
coil is energized in their area. When the magnetic field is neutralized
they tend to wander randomly. Does well in captivity. Flees, rather
than attacks, in the presence of humans, unless stepped on.
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