Common Smooth-hound

Overview

The Common Smooth-hound is a slender, bottom-dwelling shark belonging to the houndshark family. Often found in coastal waters, these sharks are known for their social nature, frequently aggregating in groups that resemble packs of dogs.

Distribution & habitat

This species is widely distributed throughout the eastern Atlantic Ocean, ranging from the British Isles and France southward to South Africa. It is also commonly found in the Mediterranean Sea, as well as around the Canary Islands and Madeira. While they can inhabit depths down to 624 meters, they are most frequently encountered on continental shelves and upper slopes at depths between 5 and 50 meters.

Appearance

The Common Smooth-hound has an elongated, slender body with a short head and snout. Its coloration is typically a uniform grey or greyish-brown on the back, fading to a white underside. While usually plain, some individuals may display dark spots. It is distinguished by its two dorsal fins, the second of which is relatively large, and a semifalcate ventral caudal lobe. Its teeth are low-crowned and adapted for crushing prey.

Biology & behavior

Primarily demersal, these sharks prefer to swim near the seafloor, though they are occasionally spotted in mid-water. They are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live young, and utilize a yolk-sac placenta to nourish embryos during a gestation period of approximately 10 to 11 months. Interestingly, research has indicated that this species is capable of facultative parthenogenesis, allowing females to produce offspring without mating in certain conditions.

Feeding

Their diet consists mainly of crustaceans, such as crabs, but they also consume cephalopods and small bony fishes.