Port Jackson Shark

shark · Australian waters · egg-layer · nocturnal

Night-time hunter. Port Jackson sharks are nocturnal, which means they sleep during the day and hunt for food when the sun goes down. This helps them avoid bigger predators and find plenty of snacks like crustaceans and small fish.

Harness-like markings. These sharks have distinctive dark brown stripes on their lighter grey-brown bodies that look like a harness or fancy saddle. This unique pattern helps scientists tell them apart from other sharks.

Egg-laying sharks. Unlike most sharks that give birth to live babies, Port Jackson sharks are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs instead. This makes them unusual among their shark cousins.

Impressive size. Port Jackson sharks can grow up to 1.65 metres (5.5 feet) long, making them the biggest sharks in their entire genus, Heterodontus. Their large, blunt heads with prominent ridges are perfect for crushing hard shells.

Australian home. These sharks live in the coastal waters of southern Australia, including the region around Port Jackson where they were first discovered and named. They prefer shallow, rocky areas where they can hunt for food.