Family: Carcharhinidae, Requiem Sharks view all from this family

Description To 6'6" (2 m). Elongate, fusiform; gray with black spots and bars which may stretch across back. Snout moderately long, pointed; fourth and fifth gill slits over pectoral fin. First dorsal fin origin above rear of pectoral fin; second dorsal fin origin in front of anal fin.

Related Species Gray Smoothhound (Mustelus californicus) lacks black spots; midpoint of first dorsal fin closer to insertion of pelvics than of pectorals; occurs in similar habitat from Cape Mendocino, California, to Mazatlan, Mexico. Smooth Dogfish (M. canis) with slate-gray or brown above, lacks markings; occurs on continental shelf in Atlantic from Cape Cod to Texas and Brazil, including Bermuda. Brown Smoothhound (M. henlei) lacks black spots and scales on posterior fifth of dorsal fins; red-brown to bronze above, silvery below; occurs in similar habitat from Coos Bay, Oregon, to Peru.

Habitat Over sand and mud in shallow bays to depths of 50 fathoms.

Range From Oregon to Mazatlan, Mexico, including Gulf of California.

Discussion Leopard Sharks feed on fishes and crustaceans such as crabs and shrimps. These nomadic sharks are quite tasty, are very popular sport fishes, and form part of the commercial shark fishery.