Sixgill shark

Sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus)

Sixgill shark  (Hexanchus griseus) The shark gets its name from the fact that is has six gill slits. Most other sharks only have five. It is also distinguished by having only one dorsal fin, which is located on the back of its body near the tail. The majority of other sharks have a pronounced dorsal fin on their backs near the center of their bodies. The sixgill is a large shark and grows to a length of up to 18 feet. It is also one of the largest sharks that feed on prey other than plankton - including cephalopods, crustaceans, fish, and marine mammals. They are not usually dangerous to humans unless provoked. Sixgill sharks are found all over the world in temperate and tropical regions, where they have been known to dive as deep as 6000 feet. They swim up to shallower waters at night to feed. Since they spend most of their time in deep water, very little is known about their behavior.

Sixgill shark distribution