Nursehound

Scyliorhinus stellaris

The Nursehound is a type of shark known as a "Catshark." Also sometimes confusingly known as Dogfish, the Catsharks are characterized by elongated eyes and dorsal fins that are set far back toward the tail. Nursehounds are one of the larger Catsharks, and can be found in the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean.

Molluscs and Crustaceans are favorites meals of the Nursehound, though they do feed on fish and even smaller Catsharks as well. They are a primarily nocturnal species, and spend the days hiding out in holes and rocks.

Like most Catsharks, the Nursehound in an oviparous species. They lay two eggs at a time, but can produce up to 100 each year. Did you know that it takes nearly nine months for a Nursehound egg to hatch?

Nursehounds are currently listed as Near Threatened, with their populations at risk due to habitat degradation and overfishing.

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IUCN Status :  Near Threatened

Location : Coastal Northeast Atlantic Ocean waters

Size : Length up to 5ft (1.5m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Chondrichthyes -- Order : Carcharhiniformes
Family : Scyliorhinidae -- Genus : Scyliorhinus -- Species : S. stellaris