Leopard Shark
Triakis semifasciata

Leopard Sharks have teeth with three points.
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Leopard Shark Scientific Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Order
- Carcharhiniforme
- Family
- Triakidae
- Genus
- Triakis
- Scientific Name
- Triakis semifasciata
Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.
Leopard Shark Conservation Status
Leopard Shark Facts
- Prey
- Crabs, Clams, Fish Eggs
- Name Of Young
- Pups
- Group Behavior
- Mainly solitary
- Fun Fact
- Leopard Sharks have teeth with three points.
- Biggest Threat
- Reduction of habitat
- Most Distinctive Feature
- Banded back
- Gestation Period
- 10-12 months
- Litter Size
- 4-37 pups
- Habitat
- Ocean
- Predators
- Larger sharks
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Average Litter Size
- 20
- Lifestyle
- Nocturnal
- Favorite Food
- Crabs and Clams
- Number Of Species
- 1
- Location
- Eastern Pacific Ocean
Leopard Shark Physical Characteristics
- Color
- Brown
- Grey
- Black
- White
- Tan
- Skin Type
- Scales
- Weight
- 20-40 pounds
- Length
- 4–5 feet
- Age of Sexual Maturity
- Male 7-13 years/Female 10-15 years
- Venomous
- No
- Aggression
- Low
View all of the Leopard Shark images!
Leopard sharks are medium-sized fish that live in the Pacific Ocean. They are harmless to humans and popular in aquariums due to their interesting patterns.

Leopard sharks can live up to 30 years.
©evantravels/Shutterstock.com
Appearance
The most recognizable feature of the leopard shark is the banded pattern on its back. These sharks have white underbellies, gray bodies, and black or dark brown bands, with lighter-colored markings in the center. Dark circular spots dot their backs in between the bands. They have translucent eyelids, called nictitating membranes, that protect their eyes while allowing vision
Leopard sharks weigh 20 pounds on average and measure between 4 and 5 feet long, and they have short, compact bodies. Females are larger than males, often by up to a foot in length. The largest leopard shark on record weighed just over 40 pounds.
Leopard sharks have two dorsal fins that are about the same size and one anal fin that is much smaller. These fins help them move through the water. Leopard sharks swim near the ocean floor to easily find food. They have three-pointed teeth, which have a smooth-edge pointed cusp in the center and two smaller cusps on each side.

Leopard sharks have three-pointed teeth.
©I, Jonathan Zander, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons – Original / License
Distribution and Habitat
Leopard sharks live off the West Coast of the United States and Mexico in the Pacific Ocean. They like to explore inlets, making them easy to spot and study. They like to swim near the ocean floor, where they find their food. Many fish have air sacs to maintain buoyancy, which means that they float when they are not swimming. Leopard sharks do not have air sacs, though, so they sink when they aren’t swimming.

Leopard sharks live in the Pacific Ocean and can be found off the coasts of Mexico and the western United States.
©Barbara Ash/Shutterstock.com
Predators and Prey
Leopard sharks’ mouths open downward, bringing up food from the ocean floor. They suck up crabs, clams, shrimp, and fish eggs like a vacuum. As they grow, they move on to larger fish, other sharks, and even octopuses.
Other fish and sharks do not generally eat leopard sharks. Instead, their risk for survival comes from their dwindling habitat. They are also occasionally caught for their fins or by large-scale fishing operations.
Reproduction and Lifespan

A mother leopard shark gives birth to an average of 20 live young. Her babies are called pups.
©SunflowerMomma/Shutterstock.com
Leopard sharks give birth to live babies, called pups. The eggs hatch inside the mother, and she gives birth to an average of 20 pups at a time. They are around 8 or 9 inches long when they’re born.
It takes around 10 years for a female leopard shark to reach breeding age. Researchers take special interest in pregnant female leopard sharks and their habits to help with conservation efforts.

The average size of a leopard shark is 4-5 feet long and weighs around 20 pounds.
©Jiri Hrebicek/Shutterstock.com
Population
Leopard sharks are listed as least concern by the IUCN. They have protected waters to live in and are not hunted regularly by humans. They are occasionally caught and eaten, but they contain high levels of mercury due to their long lifespans, making them less than ideal for human consumption.
View all 118 animals that start with LLeopard Shark FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Is Leopard Shark a good fish to eat?
While you can eat Leopard Shark, you should do so sparingly due to the high mercury content in the fish.
What does Leopard Shark taste like?
Leopard Shark is a firm, white fish that can be seasoned and panfried or grilled.
Is a Leopard Shark a freshwater or saltwater fish?
Leopard Sharks live in saltwater in the Pacific Ocean, off the West Coast of North America from Oregon to the Gulf of California, Mexico.
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Sources
- San Diego Zoo / Accessed June 17, 2022
- UCSD / Accessed June 17, 2022
- Monterey Bay Aquarium / Accessed June 17, 2022