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Pyjama Shark
Carcharhiniformes

Pyjama Shark

Poroderma africanum

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Max Length

1.1m

Overview

A small, striped catshark endemic to South Africa. Active at night, resting in crevices and caves by day. Named for its distinctive dark longitudinal stripes. Harmless to humans.

Habitat

They enjoy the continental shelf to the upper slope, from the surf line and intertidal to 925.2 ft [282 m] deep. They are usually on or near the bottom in rocky areas, and often in caves.

Distribution

South Africa & nearby waters

These sharks are in the southeast Atlantic and western Indian Oceans. They are apparently endemic to South Africa (both Capes, rarely to KwaZulu-Natal). There are records from Zaire, Madagascar, and Mauritius, but they require verification.

Behavior

They are usually nocturnal, but sometimes active during the day.

Biology

Diet
Bony fish, hagfish, other small sharks, shark eggcases, and a wide range of invertebrates.
Reproduction
Oviparous, and lay pairs of eggcases (one/oviduct)

Appearance

Pyjama Shark illustration
Sources:sharksorg

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the pyjama shark dangerous to humans?
The pyjama shark is not considered dangerous to humans under normal conditions. There are few or no recorded incidents involving this species.
Where does this species data come from?
Species profiles are compiled from peer-reviewed taxonomy and published references. Incident data is sourced from the Global Shark Attack File and joined to species records by name match.
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