5 Awesome Sharks of Australia l Amazing

We hope that each of you, our readers, will enjoy and appreciate this article we present about these 5 Awesome Sharks of Australia. It was certainly our great pleasure to compile the information for you. May it provide you with both education and increased awareness.

These few species listed herein represent only a portion of the natural wonders found throughout the region, though. Yet, it’s our belief that they serve as excellent representations of the wonders found here. Check out some of our other articles for similar marvels.

Zebra Shark

Zebra Shark Facts

Leading off this article about 5 Awesome Sharks of Australia comes the intriguing product of evolution known as the Zebra Shark.
It’s a strange turn of events, that leads to this ocean fish most frequently going by the unusual, as well as deceptive, common name that we use here. For the moment, the remarkable sea-dwelling species has no other generally accepted common name.
Professionals, such as researchers, meanwhile, typically refer to the creature by its scientific name. That term, however, as with many such creatures, remains somewhat hard to pronounce. That’s because its formal scientific name’s Stegostoma tigrinum.
The first known official recording of it as a separate and distinct species took place in 1758, due to the efforts of the Dutch zoologist, Albertus Seba. He received the accreditation posthumously, however, since the man himself died several years earlier.
Unfortunately, the population of this amazing creature appears to be declining. Moreover, this regrettable trend seems to hold true throughout the entirety of its known range. The IUCN, therefore, presently lists it as Endangered on its Red List.
Presently, the leading culprit for its decline in population continues to be commercial fishing practices. This holds true because the natural wonder remains actively sought after across most of its range. It’s mainly sought for its meat, liver oil, and fins.
The impressive Zebra Shark nevertheless faces other threats to its existnce, however. Habitat loss poses an increasing threat, as man intrudes into its domain, of course. Its greatest potential threat, though, likely comes in the form of ongoing climate change.

Zebra Shark, Stegostoma fasciatum — Source: https://bit.ly/3DyvEfm Photo: Daniel Sasse CCL: https://bit.ly/2YLD53V

Zebra Shark Physical Description

The Zebra Shark certainly impresses its fair share of those who encounter the creature in its native habitat. It does not do so, however, due to sheer size. That’s because, in that particular respect, this marvel of Nature represents a roughly average-sized species of its kind.

It does differ from many of its brethren in that regard, however, This holds true due to the fact that this specific species does not display any noticeable degree of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. This makes distinguishing the genders difficult.

The two sexes therefore present virtually identical sizes and patterns of coloration. An average body length for a mature adult of either sex reaches roughly 8.2 ft (2.5 m). Exceptional specimens, however, do occasionally attain lengths of as much as 11 ft (3.5 m).

In general, furthermore, the body manifests a strongly cylindrical shape. The head usually develops as slightly flattened, and possessed of a blunt, short snout. Its eyes also develop as quite small, and appear on the sides of the head. The species manifests 5 gill slits.

The somewhat confusing name of the Zebra Shark derives from the appearance of the immature individuals. These manifest a distinctly differenct pattern of coloring that the adults. As the common name implies, the immature shark presents stripes, like a zebra.

The adults of the species, meanwhile, develop a different pattern as they age. Most mature individuals present a light background, typically various shades of tan. This, though, has a covering of numerous small spots. These markings appear a dark brown to black in color.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Order: Orectolobiformes
Family: Stegostomatidae
Genus: Stegostoma
Species: S. tigrinum

Zebra Shark Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Fortunately, the stunning Zebra Shark appears to be endemic to a relatively wide swathe of the oceans of the world. This further seems to hold true in comparison with many, though, certainly, not all known species of sharks. Yet its known range remains respectable.

More precisely, however, it seems to inhabit specific portions of the Indo-Pacific region. Within that range, though, it only makes its home in the tropical waters of the area. That range extends from South Africa, through the Red Sea, to India, and all the way to Australia.

In all the regions of its range that it appears in, however, the animal displays decided preferences for its choice of habitat. In this, it possesses two very specific requirements. The creature only lives in the intertidal zone, and lives as a bottom-dwelling species.

Within that habitation zone, though, individuals live their lives in various locations. Specimens appear at maximum recorded depths of no more than 203 ft (62 m). Most individuals, in fact, prefer shallower depths. These often swim along the continental shelf.

The Zebra Shark evolved as primarily nocturnal in nature. Most individuals remains sluggish by day, typically moving very little. These most often appear on the ocean floor, frequently facing into the current. This facilitates their breathing while minimizing movement.

By night, however, it transforms into an active, powerful swimmer and hunter. It mainly feeds on small fish, various crustaceans, and possibly sea snakes. Typically a solitary creature, it nevertheless occasionally bands together in large groups for unknown reasons.

Porbeagle

Porbeagle Facts

The next creature chosen for inclusion in this compendium of 5 Awesome Sharks of Australia is the amazing animal named the Porbeagle.
The short term used herein serves as the most frequently used common name for this fish. It’s actually a species what’s known as mackerel sharks. However, the intriguing Lamnidae also goes by several other names, in various parts of its natural range.
These include such names as Beaumaris shark, Atlantic mackerel shark, bottle-nosed shark, and blue dog. Professionals, though, such as researchers, tend to employ its formal name when referring to it. That’s the relatively simple term Lamna nasus.
It received that designation due to the work of the French naturalist, Abbé Pierre Joseph Bonnaterre. He accomplished the first official acknowledgement of the creature as a separate and distinct species. This scientifically noteworthy event occurred in 1788.
Regardless of the term one chooses to use, though, it remains a fascinating animal. It’s also known for being quite fast, and highly active. Yet it’s well-known as comparatively docile. Only a handful of bites by this species have been reported, none serious.
Sadly, however, the population of the amazing Porbeagle continues to shrink. Though it now enjoys a measure of protection, this applies in only a few areas. Various nations and Unions now ban hunting it, but this only applies within their area of influence.
The remarkable fish therefore faces numerous threats. These obviously include commercial fishing, as well as sport fishing. Climate change also now poses a danger to it. For all these reasons, the IUCN now lists the species as Vulnerable on its Red List.

Porbeagle, Lamna nasus — Source: https://bit.ly/3gcbNJ8 Photo: CSIRO CCL: https://bit.ly/3Hk2tPa

Porbeagle Physical Description

The physique of the remarkable Porbeagle quickly impresses those who encounter it. It’s worth noting, however, that it does so for attributes wholly unrelated to sheer size. That’s because this variety of shark only ranks as slightly above average in that regard.

Although populations vary somewhat in size, depending on their region, in many of these one trait stands out. That’s due to the fact that some populations display the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. In its case, though, this manifests in sheer size.

More specifically, females attain a moderately greater length than their male counterparts. As a result of this size disparity, females reach an average body length of approximately 9.8 ft (3.0 m). Males, meanwhile, only average roughly 8.2 ft (2.5 m) in overall length.

Despite the difference in length, though, average weights measure about the same. Most specimens only weigh around 298 lb (135 kg). Exceptional individuals do occur, however. The heaviest known member of the amazing species weighed in at 510 lb (230 kg).

The overall body shape’s often referred to as stout, with males being somewhat more so than females. The elongated snout tapers to a pointed structure. Its eyes further develop as large, and deep black in color. Its mouth also develops as proportionately large and curved.

In terms of coloring, though, the Porbeagle displays a fairly common pattern. The upper surface dislays a moderate to dark gray color. Its underside, meanwhile, typically shows an off white. Some populations also display irregular, dusky blotches across the belly.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Order: Lamniformes
Family: Lamnidae
Genus: Lamna
Species: L. nasus

Porbeagle Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

One factor working in the favor of the Porbeagle is its natural distribution. That’s because it has an extremely broad, yet simultaneously specific, range of habitation. It evolved to possess what ichthyologists, scientists who study fish, call an amphitemperate range.

That’s simply a technical term that means three things. Firstly, the animal appears almost globally, within certain paramaters. Secondly, however, those parameters restrict it to the temperate waters of both hemispheres. Finally, its absent from tropical areas.

Within that zone, though, it inhabits a broad range of depths. In this, different populations present varying preferences. Thus, some groupings appear offshore, at depths of as much as 4,460 ft (1,360 m). Others, meanwhile, appear at depths as shallow as 3.3 ft (1m)!

Yet, in all regions this wonder of Nature makes its home in, some individuals display a daily migration pattern, while others do not. Those particular specimens that migrate usually spend the day at greater depths. These then later move toward the surface at night.

The intriguing Porbeagle appears either in small groups or singly. In both instances, it’s also one of the few known fish species to exhibit signs of play. That’s due to the fact that, on occasion, individuals wrap themselves in rolling and unrolling themselves in kelp strands.

Like other sharks, it also evolved as an active predator. It’s opportunistic, as well, feeding on virtually any small or medium-sized bony fish it finds. Small cephalopds, especially squid, additionally form an important part of its diet. Lifespan ranges from 30-40 years.

Great White Shark

Great White Shark Facts

Appearing in the third spot in this listing of 5 Awesome Sharks of Australia, the mighty Great White Shark does so only due to random selection.
The term it’s best known by serves as one of the common names for a truly incredible variety of mackerel shark. This marvel of Nature also goes by the other common names, though, such as the great white, the white shark, and white pointer.
In the meantime, it also has the tongue-twisting scientific name of the Carcharodon carcharias. But, regardless of what name one uses to refer to it, this magnficent creature represents one of the oceans primary apex predators.
This incredibly efficient hunter also has almost no known predators of its own. This holds true throughout the entirety of its natural range. The rare exception, though, would be rare attacks by orcas when other, easier prey cannot be found.
The breathtaking Great White Shark also exemplifies a very fast and far-ranging hunter. This true marvel of Nature has the ability to reach speeds measuring as much as 35 mph (56 kph). It can also safely dive to depths of as much as 3,900 ft (1,200 m).
For a variety of reasons, the IUCN lists this majestic creature as Vulnerable. This holds true largely due to such factors as habitat loss and reduction of its prey, due to human commercial fishing practices. However, it also faces danger from climate change.

Great White Shark, Carcharodon carcharias — Source: https://bit.ly/2tjbowq Public Domain Image

Great White Shark Physical Description

The remarkably impressive Great White Shark earns this status for several reasons, one of them being its sheer physical size. That’s because it attains a maximum known length of 20 ft (6 m) and weighs as much as roughly 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg).

It displays a visually striking color pattern. This holds true due to the fact that, most commonly, it appears grayish in color on the top part of its body and white underneath. In addition, just like many species of sharks, the Great White Shark has multiple rows of teeth.

Like all sharks, it also possesses a special sensory organ which allows it to detect the electromagnetic fields generated by the movement of living animals. In this species, this sense seems to be rather especially acute, allowing it to detect a field of half a billionth volt.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Order: Lamniformes
Family: Lamnidae
Genus: Carcharodon
Species: C. carcharias

Great White Shark Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

It bears mentioning that the remarkable Great White Shark has more advantages than just its physical attributes. That holds true because it possesses an almost global range of habitation. This gives it a decided advantage over many species.

As a result, this truly amazing fish inhabits virtually all temperate and tropical waters. This fact often amazes those who encounter it. But, the greatest known concentration of its numbers presently occurs in the waters off the coast of South Africa, in Africa.

The incredibly powerful predator most commonly appears in coastal and offshore areas. This practice, quite unfortunately, frequently leads to encounters with humans. There, though, it rarely, though not never, enters waters with depths of less than 1,000 ft (305 m).

This extremely dangerous creature much more commonly appears at great depths, however. These often reach as deep as 3,900 ft (1,200 m). Additionally, with an average lifespan of 25 – 30 years, it generally prefers to stalk a regular territory.

Given its power and speed, the supremely effective predator quite understandably feeds on a wide variety of prey. In point of fact, this monstrously powerful, and also highly aggressive, hunter will feed on virtually any creature it can find.

The Great White Shark nevertheless does tend to have certain preferences for its choice of prey, as nearly all creatures do. More specifically, these include tuna, dolphins, seals, sea turtles, sea otters, and even, when possible, marine birds.

Spiny Dogfish

Spiny Dogfish Facts

Next up in this collection of 5 Awesome Sharks of Australia is the uniquely named wonder known as the Spiny Dogfish.
The somewhat evocative term for this fish perfectly serves as one of the common names for one of the best known members of the Squalidae Family of sharks. The animal also remains known by several other alternate names, though.
These include such equally distinctive names as the mud shark, the spurdog, and the piked dogfish, just to name a few of them. Among professional researchers, though, the amazing creature bears the scientific name of the Squalus acanthias.
The first known official recognition of this impressive animal as a separate and distinct species occurred in the year 1758. That scientifically important event took place as a result of the efforts of the Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus.
Unfortunately, its situation appears to be somewhat unstable. Due to its population status, as well as other factors, the IUCN currently lists it as Vulnerable. This lamentable status appears on the organization’s Red List of Threatened Species.
The multiple and varied dangers facing the Spiny Dogfish continue to escalate, regrettably. Among these, over fishing continues to be the greatest threat to its continued existence, since the shark constitutes a commercially fished species.
Other, newer factors also now pose serious, potentially terminal threats to the creature, though. Habitat loss, due to the actions of man threaten to greatly reduce its range. The ongoing effects of climate change also now pose a great danger for it.

Spiny Dogfish, Squalus acanthias — Source: https://bit.ly/3y8S9Fg Photo: NOAA CCL: https://bit.ly/3lgaqNt

Spiny Dogfish Physical Description

It bears noting that, while remarkably impressive in many ways, sheer size isn’t the strong suit of the amazing Spiny Dogfish. To the great surprise of many people, this marvel of Nature actually remains a very small example of its Order, the Squaliformes.

The species does, however, display a respectable degree of the physiological characteristic known as sexual dimorphism. In the case of this particular representative of its kind, this trait manifests itself in terms of size, with females being slightly greater in length.

Although exceptional individuals do exist, of course, adult males attain an average body length only equaling about 39 in (1 m). Mature females of this fascinating variety of shark, on the other hand, reach an average length of roughly 62.6 in (1.59 m).

Otherwise, both genders strongly resemble each other, presenting the same basic color pattern. Members of both sex display an overall grayish-brown shade, with the upper half of the body being a darker shade, while the underside remains much lighter in color.

It’s the presence of one particular feature, though, that gives the Spiny Dogfish its unique common name. That’s the existence of two very sharp spines that appear on the dorsal area, which the resourceful animal uses as a means of self-defense when threatened.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Order: Squaliformes
Family: Squalidae
Genus: Squalus
Species: S. acanthias

Spiny Dogfish Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

To the great surprise of some people, the remarkable Spiny Dogfish inhabits a comparatively wide range of the oceans of the world. Populations of this fascinating fish inhabit many regions. This includes the Pacific, the Atlantic, and also portions of the Indian Ocean.

In whatever part of the world populations of the animal appear, however, all individuals maintain the same basic pattern of behavior regarding choice of habitat. More precisely, this animal evolved to live primarily as a bottom-dwelling species.

With that being said, specimens of this intriguing type of shark have been observed at depths of as much as 2,300 ft (700 m). The great majority of observed groupings or individuals nevertheless make their home at depths of between 160 – 490 ft (50 – 149 m).

Like all other known sharks, the Spiny Dogfish feeds entirely as an aggressive carnivore. Despite its comparatively small size, this animal is no exception to this. It actively hunts a wide variety of prey, including fish, squid, shrimp, crabs, and even jellyfish.

Though some specimens travel singly, the vast majority of members of this species appear in large packs, that can number in the thousands. After mating, live birth occurs an average of an astonishing 22 – 24 months later. A typical lifespan averages 35 – 54 years.

Epaulette Shark

Epaulette Shark Facts

Closing out this article about 5 Awesome Sharks of Australia we present you the creation of evolution named the Epaulette Shark.
The descriptive term it’s known by serves as the common name for an unusual variety of shark. Its scientific name, however, is the somewhat difficult to pronounce term of Hemiscyllium ocellatum. By either name, though, it’s a fascinating species.
Originally, it bore a different, and slightly more pronounceable, official name. That term, assigned during its first scientific recognition, was Squalus ocellatus. The French naturalist Pierre Joseph Bonnaterre bestowed that initial title in 1778.
It’s best known, though, for the astounding ability it evolved. This variety of shark literally, and frequently, walks across the ocean floor, or even dry land! The fish manages this locomotion by using its fins to undulate its way across the seabed.
Fortunately, the population base of the marvelous Epaulette Shark appears to be both sufficient and comparatively stable. The IUCN, therefore, presently lists this marvel of Nature as Least Concern. That status appears on its Red List of Threatened Species.
This amazing fish nevertheless faces at least some potential threats to its continued existence. Like every other living thing on the planet, climate change could pose a serious threat in the near future. For the moment, though, few other factors threaten it.

Epaulette Shark, Hemiscyllium ocellatum — Source: https://bit.ly/2Lmzna7 Photo: bbcjk.king CCL: https://bit.ly/2MKsv6Q

Epaulette Shark Physical Description

The visually surprising Epaulette Shark constitutes a mesmerizing species, in the opinions of some individuals. It does not, however, earn this distinction due to sheer size. That’s because this wonderful animal actually ranks as a very small variety of shark.

Individuals of both genders also attain an average length of between 27 – 35 in (70 – 90 cm). Exceptional specimens, though, grow to as much as 42.1 in (107 cm). Yet, unlike many related species, this fish does not display any noticeable degree of sexual dimorphism.

The body of the Epaulette Shark develops as quite slender, and relatively elongated. Its snout, meanwhile, appears rounded and very short in structure. It also possesses between 26 – 35 rows of teeth in its upper jaw, along with 21 – 32 rows of teeth within its lower jaw.

The most noteworthy feature is the one that’s the source of the common name. That’s the presence of a large black spot behind each pectoral fin, surrounded by a white ring. The rest of the body also displays a brownish to beige shade, with brown spots and bands.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Order: Orectolobiformes
Family: Hemiscylliidae
Genus: Hemiscyllium
Species: H. ocellatum

Epaulette Shark Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Sadly, the Epaulette Shark has one factor limiting its potential for successful competition with related species. That’s the fact that it only appears to live in a highly restricted portion of the globe. That range further consists of parts of the western Pacific Ocean.

More specifically, its only confirmed range extends from the northern coast of Australia to the southern shores of New Guinea. Unconfirmed reports, however, indicate the possibility that a small population may also exist around Sumatra, Malaysia, and the Solomon Islands.

Like many of the other small varieties, this particular shark evolved as a bottom-dwelling species. In its case, though, the creature rarely appears at depths greater than 131 ft (40 m). It also principally inhabits regions of coral reef, including the Great Barrier Reef.

Like virtually all known shark types, the small yet impressive Epaulette Shark evolved as a carnivore. Its own size, however, restricts its choices of prey. These mainly consist of various small fish and crustaceans. But, it also occasionally feeds on polychaete worms.

Regardless of its prey of choice at a given moment, it most commonly hunts during period of low tide. Apart from this, its greatest periods of activity typically occur at dusk and dawn. Its own predators, meanwhile, include other, larger sharks, and grouper.