Heterodontiformes
Bullhead sharks
A single family with just eight species, the bullhead sharks constitute the
only living sharks that feature fin spines on their two dorsal fins and an anal
fin.
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HETERODONTIDAE
Bullhead sharks
Appearance: Large, thick heads with a broad crest over both eyes. They have
snub snouts and short mouths with grooves connecting to the nostrils and teeth
both for holding (in the front) and crushing (in the rear).
Size: They grow to between 22 and 66 in long.
Habitat: Shallow to moderately deep continental and insular waters at depths
from intertidal to at least 900 ft.
Distribution: Warm temperate to tropical waters in the western Indian and the
western and eastern Pacific oceans.
Diet: They crush sea-urchins, starfishes, crabs, shrimps, barnacles, marine
worms, sea-snails, and other hard prey with their rear teeth, and they also
catch small fishes.
Shark bite: Horn sharks live in the same area for their entire adult lives. A
tagged horn shark was found in the same spot after more than 11 years.
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Eight Species
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