Pygmy Shark

Euprotomicrus bispinatus

Last updated: December 6, 2024
Verified Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
CC BY 3.0 – License / Original

Pygmy sharks underbelly glows to attract prey that swims beneath it.


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Pygmy Shark Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Chondrichthyes
Order
Squaliformes
Family
Dalatiidae
Genus
Euprotomicrus
Scientific Name
Euprotomicrus bispinatus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Pygmy Shark Conservation Status

Pygmy Shark Locations

Pygmy Shark Locations

Pygmy Shark Facts

Name Of Young
Pups
Group Behavior
  • Mainly solitary
Fun Fact
Pygmy sharks underbelly glows to attract prey that swims beneath it.
Most Distinctive Feature
Luminous organs
Litter Size
8 pups
Habitat
Pygmy sharks live close to the ocean floor at depths of 6,500 feet during the day

Pygmy Shark Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Black
Skin Type
Scales
Length
8.6-11 inches
Venomous
No
Aggression
Medium

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The Pygmy shark is the second smallest shark in the world, with females reaching lengths between 8.6 to 10 inches, while the males only measure 8.6 to 8.7 inches. They are black with light edges on their two dorsal fins, with the front fin smaller than the back. The body is cylindrical, and it has a bulbous snout with big eyes.

The pygmy shark has luminous organs along the underbelly that make it glow, which is a mysterious phenomenon. One theory is that prey swimming beneath the pygmy shark might be attracted to the glow and swim closer. Another is that it provides camouflage from predators because the glow merges with the light from the upper surface, making it harder to see. A third is that it emits pheromones to attract a mate.

Here, a pygmy shark rests on a scale. It’s small enough to fit in a human hand.

Pygmy Shark Scientific Name and Conservation Status

The Pygmy shark’s scientific name is Euprotomicrus bispinatus. It belongs to the Family Dalatiidae and falls under the Class Chondrichthyes.

Behavior and Habitat

Not much is known about the pygmy shark’s behavior except that they are mostly solitary. However, they do sometimes gather in groups, especially when migrating vertically to find food. Pygmy sharks prefer a diet of deepwater squid, bony fish, and crustaceans.

Pygmy sharks live close to the ocean floor at depths of 6,500 feet during the day. However, their preferred prey rises to the surface to feed on plankton at night, so pygmy sharks follow them to depths of around 650 feet.

Because they are so small and live in deep water, they are not a threat to humans. They prefer temperate and oceanic areas in the South Indian, South Atlantic, and Pacific oceans.

Predators and Threats

Pygmy sharks have no recorded threats or predators. Because they are so tiny, they can avoid getting caught in fishermen’s nets. However, there are cases where people have accidentally caught them while fishing. Researchers require more information on whether overfishing is affecting their population. 

Reproduction

These sharks are ovoviviparous and develop eggs inside the uterus where they hatch. The pygmy shark gives birth to live young with an estimated litter size of eight pups, which measure 2.3 to 3.9 inches at birth. Pygmy sharks are fully grown when they reach around 11 inches.

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About the Author

Heather Ross

Heather Ross is a secondary English teacher and mother of 2 humans, 2 tuxedo cats, and a golden doodle. In between taking the kids to soccer practice and grading papers, she enjoys reading and writing about all the animals!

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Sources

  1. Sharks Info / Accessed June 23, 2022
  2. Fish Base / Accessed June 23, 2022
  3. Sheppards Software / Accessed June 23, 2022
  4. Shark Water Extinction / Accessed June 23, 2022
  5. Planet Shark Divers / Accessed June 23, 2022
  6. Shark References / Accessed June 23, 2022
  7. Britannica / Accessed June 23, 2022
  8. Shark Research Institute / Accessed June 23, 2022
  9. The Website of Everything / Accessed June 23, 2022
  10. IUCN Red List / Accessed June 23, 2022