The Australian Sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon taylori) is a small requiem shark, belonging to the family Carcharhinidae. It is found in the tropical waters of the western Pacific Ocean off Papua New Guinea and northern Australia.
Family: Carcharhinidae – Requiem sharks
Genus: Rhizoprionodon
Species: taylori
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Subclass– Elasmobranchii
Common Name– Ground Sharks
Family– Carcharhinidae
Common Name– Requiem Sharks
Genus– Rhizoprionodon
Species– taylori
Status: IUCN Red List LEAST CONCERN
Average Size and Length: The Australian Sharpnose shark can grow to a maximum length of 2.3 feet. They are born between 25 and 30 cm. Males are typically around 1.3 feet and females 1.5 feet.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The Australian Sharpnose shark is found in the tropical waters of the western Pacific Ocean off Papua New Guinea and northern Australia between latitudes 8°N and 28°S, from the surface to a depth of 361 feet. They prefer the tropical, inshore continental shelf.
Aesthetic Identification: The Australian Sharpnose shark is a very small shark. It is bronze to greyish above, and counter-shaded pale below. The dorsal and caudal fin margins and the upper caudal fin tip are dark. The other fins are light-edged.
Biology and Reproduction: The Australian Sharpnose shark is viviparous. They have between 1 to 10 pups per litter.
Australian Sharpnose Shark Future and Conservation: They are taken by bycatch, but they grow rapidly, they are abundant and extremely resilient, and therefore can withstand fishing.
Australian Sharpnose Shark Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.