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Leopard Shark
Carcharhiniformes

Leopard Shark

Triakis semifasciata

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Max Length

1.8m

Litter Size

4-29 pups

Overview

A slender, harmless shark with striking dark saddle markings over a pale body. Common in kelp beds and sandy flats along the California coast. Often seen resting in aggregations on the seafloor.

Habitat

These sharks prefer cool to warm temperate inshore and offshore of the continental shelf. They are common on or near the bottom from intertidal to 13.1 ft [4 m]. They have also been recorded to 298.6 ft [91 m] deep. They prefer shallow, enclosed, muddy bays, flat and sandy areas, mud flats, and rock-strewn areas near rocky reefs and kelp beds.

Distribution

Northeast Pacific

Northeast Pacific from Oregon to the Gulf of California, Mexico.

Behavior

These are active, strong-swimming sharks. They form large, nomadic schools (sometimes with Smoothhounds - Mustelus mustelus and Piked dogfish). Most have a small range, but some travel up to 93.2 miles [150 km]. Sometimes seen resting on the sand among rocks.

Human Safety

They are common to abundant where they occur. They have valuable flesh, so intensive commercial and spots fishing led to their population declines. However, the U.S. population is now well-managed. Their status in Mexico is unknown. They are very hardy and readily adapt to captivity when they are young, and some have been maintained in aquaria for more than 20 years.

Biology

Diet
The shark feeds opportunistically on bottom animals, including burrowing invertebrates. Diet varies with size and season.
Reproduction
Ovoviviparous, with no yolk-sac placenta

Appearance

Leopard Shark illustration
Dorsal
Black, pale tan, to greyish, fading to whitish on their underside.
Sources:sharksorg

Recorded incidents involving the leopard shark

Recorded

2

Fatal

0

Fatality rate

0.0%

Years

1955–1995

Top countries

Years with most incidents

Counts are based on the species field of the Global Shark Attack File. Identifications by witnesses are often uncertain; treat figures as recorded incidents, not authoritative totals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many shark attacks have been recorded involving the leopard shark?
2 incidents in the Global Shark Attack File mention the leopard shark, of which 0 were fatal (0.0%). Note that witness species identifications are often uncertain, so this is the count of recorded incidents.
Where do most leopard shark incidents occur?
The countries with the most recorded leopard shark incidents are Australia, United States.
Is the leopard shark dangerous to humans?
The leopard 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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