Heterodontus ramalheira (Smith, 1949)
Whitespotted bullhead shark
Heterodontus ramalheira
photo by FAO

Family:  Heterodontidae (Bullhead, horn, or Port Jackson sharks)
Max. size:  64 cm TL (male/unsexed); 83 cm TL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 40 - 305 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: off southern Mozambique and Natal, South Africa (Ref. 5578), also off the eastern shore of the Arabian Peninsula.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2-2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. Dark red-brown with scattered white spots (Ref. 6576).
Biology:  Found on the outer continental shelf and uppermost slopes (Ref. 247, 43278). Benthic (Ref. 43278). Feeds on crabs (Ref. 5578, 43278). Oviparous (Ref. 50449).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 24 April 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  traumatogenic


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