Leopard Shark (Triakis semifasciata)

These sharks are found in the shallow waters of the Eastern Pacific from Oregon to the Gulf of California. They prefer sandy areas, mud flats and rocky bottoms near kelp beds. Their favorite foods include: crabs, shrimps, fish eggs and some bony fish. This shark can live 30 years and obtain lengths of over 6 feet.

These sharks are ovoviviparous, meaning the female will have an egg that hatches in the female's uterus - the offspring are then born live and ready to fend for themselves. Like all other sharks, leopards reproduce slowly and are vulnerable to overfishing.

Not all sharks develop and keep their same colors throughout their lives. Some species, such as the leopard, spend their youth in the shallows protected by their camouflage of leopardlike spots. When they are large enough to live in deeper water, their spots fade.

Leopard sharks often school and team up with other species of sharks to hunt.

This is our largest species of shark in our Mermaid Aquarium and we currently have three on display.