Sixgill shark

Last updated: May 27, 2024
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
Greg Amptman/Shutterstock.com

The sixgill shark has six pairs of gills instead of the normal five


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Sixgill shark Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Chondrichthyes
Order
Hexanchiformes
Family
Hexanchidae
Genus
Hexanchus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Sixgill shark Conservation Status

Sixgill shark Locations

Sixgill shark Locations

Sixgill shark Facts

Prey
Fish, sharks, rays, and crustaceans
Group Behavior
  • Solitary
Fun Fact
The sixgill shark has six pairs of gills instead of the normal five
Estimated Population Size
Unknown
Biggest Threat
Overfishing
Most Distinctive Feature
The massive rows of comb-like teeth
Other Name(s)
Cow Shark
Gestation Period
Longer than 2 years
Habitat
Oceans
Predators
Humans, orcas, sharks, dolphins, and sea lions
Diet
Carnivore
Type
Shark
Common Name
Sixgill Shark
Number Of Species
3

Sixgill shark Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Brown
  • Grey
  • Black
  • White
  • Green
Skin Type
Rough
Lifespan
Up to 80 years
Weight
Up to 1,600lbs
Length
Up to 6m (20ft)

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The sixgill shark is a silent predator that stalks the deep and dark oceans.

It’s also a genus of ancient prehistoric sharks that contains three distinct species. By far the best-known species is the bluntnose sixgill shark, which can sometimes be observed near Puget Sound or Vancouver Island. Due to their solitary and elusive nature, not a lot is actually known about their behavior.

5 Incredible Sixgill Shark Facts!

  • These sharks are considered to be among the most prehistoric of sharks. This means it retains some characteristics and adaptations that are largely unchanged from the time it first evolved some 200 million years ago.
  • One of the more interesting facts is that these sharks give birth via a method called ovoviviparity. This is a halfway method between egg-laying and live birth in which the eggs develop inside the mother’s body until they are ready to hatch.
  • Sxigill sharks appear to stay in deep water during the day and then migrate toward shallower waters toward the night.
  • These sharks appear to have several adaptations that make it more buoyant. Whereas most sharks must generate lift while moving through the water to stop from sinking, the sixgill shark can simply glide upward without much effort.
  • Hexanchoid sharks sense the world around them with highly developed scent and eyes. They can also detect vibration and faint electrical signals.

Sixgill Shark Classification and Scientific Name

The scientific name of this shark genus is Hexanchus. This quite literally means six gills in Latin. They are a member of the cow shark family, Hexanchidae, although most other members of this family are now extinct and only known from the prehistoric fossil record.

Sixgill Shark Species

There are three living species of these sharks, plus eight more extinct species found in the fossil record.

  • Bluntnose Sixgill Shark: The largest and most well-known member of the hexanchoid sharks, the bluntnose sixgill has a wide distribution all over the world, from Patagonia to Alaska, from Puget Sound to the Japanese sea, from the North Sea to southern Africa.
  • Bigeye Sixgill Shark: Named for its relatively large eyes, this shark is found in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific.
  • Atlantic Sixgill Shark: Formerly considered to be part of the same species as the bigeye sixgill, this Atlantic shark was determined to be a completely separate species in 2018. They are differentiated by their smaller size – they do not usually exceed 6 feet in length – and their Atlantic-based location.

Sixgill Shark Appearance

These sharks are characterized by a broad and pointed head, a long tail, large green eyes, a single dorsal fin on the back, and comb-like teeth arranged in six separate rows on each side of the lower jaw. By far the easiest way to identify them, though, is the presence of six gill pairs. Most sharks only have five. The skin color ranges between dark gray, brown, or olive green near the back and lighter gray on the stomach.

Adult sharks, including the largest species, the bluntnose sixgill, measure no more than 20 feet long. The smallest species is the Atlantic sixgill at 6 feet long. Females tend to be slightly larger than males.

A Sixgill Shark swimming off Vancouver Island, Canada.
A Sixgill Shark swimming off Vancouver Island, Canada.

Sixgill Shark Distribution, Population, and Habitat

These sharks are found across temperate and tropical seas all over the world. They tend to roam around deep water fairly close to continental shelves, islands, seamounts, and mid-ocean ridges. In colder environments, like Puget Sound and Vancouver Island, they like to live in shallower water.

The bluntnose sixgill and bigeyed sixgill sharks are considered to be near threatened by the IUCN Red List, with both of their population numbers falling, while the Atlantic sixgill shark is a species of least concern. The biggest threat is overfishing, both as accidental bycatch and for food and sport.

Sixgill Shark Predators and Prey

The bluntnose shark sits near the top of the marine food chain. Despite its enormous size, it does have to be wary of larger predators.

What eats the sixgill shark?

An adult bluntnose shark is preyed upon by great white sharks and killer whales. Young sixgills are also preyed upon by dolphins and sea lions.

What does the sixgill shark eat?

These sharks are highly skilled predators whose diet consists of fishes, rays, crustaceans, sharks, and even carrion. While not very fast, it is thought to ambush prey at close range with a quick strike. Whatever it cannot swallow whole it will grind up in the rows of sharp teeth.

Sixgill Shark Reproduction and Lifespan

Not many concrete facts are known about the shark’s reproductive behavior. It’s speculated that the bluntnose sixgill shark reproduces at some point between May and November, and the male possibly initiates courtship by nipping at the female’s gills, which can leave behind scars. After copulating, the female carries the eggs for approximately two years until giving birth to a litter of anywhere between 22 to 110 pups. The sheer number of young suggests it is an adaptation to compensate for the very high mortality rate.

The young are fairly well-developed at the moment of their birth, measuring up to 30 inches, and must learn to fend for themselves. The parents play no actual role in the development of the young. These are long-lived animals that grow and mature slowly. It’s speculated that a male bluntnose reaches sexual maturity between 11 and 14 years old, while the female reaches maturity between 18 and 35 years old. Their overall lifespan is estimated to be up to 80 years in the wild.

Sixgill Shark in Fishing and Cooking

The bluntnose sixgill shark is caught both commercially and for sport with line gear, gillnets, traps, and trawls. The flesh can be frozen, fresh, or dried-salted and also used for oil and fishmeal. The liver of the hexanchoid shark is thought to be toxic, because ingestion has been known to cause pain and sickness for up to 10 days. Even the skin can occasionally cause sickness.

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Sixgill shark FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What is a sixgill shark?

The sixgill, also known as a cow shark, is a large deep water shark with six gills instead of the normal five. It has many adaptations to help it survive the dark ocean habitat.

Where are sixgill sharks found?

Sixgill sharks are found in deepwater habitats all over the world.

Do Sixgill sharks attack humans?

Only a few attacks on humans have ever been documented. Despites its size, this is a rather shy and non-aggressive shark.

How deep do sixgill sharks live?

The sixgill has been found at depths of up to 2,500 feet.

Are sixgill sharks dangerous?

The sixgill shark has never been known to attack a person without some provocation. It does not seem to naturally consider humans as a viable part of its diet.

How old are sixgill sharks?

Sixgill sharks are thought to live up to 80 years in the wild.

Why doesn't the sixgill shark have a dorsal fin?

The sixgill shark does have a single dorsal fin near the tail, but it’s lacking in a second dorsal fin near the center of the back. Normally, dorsal fins serve the purpose of improving stability but at the cost of drag. This may be an adaptation of some sort to move through the water.

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Sources

  1. Florida Museum / Accessed July 21, 2021
  2. Animal Diversity Web / Accessed July 21, 2021
  3. Sci News / Accessed July 21, 2021
  4. Ocean Explorer / Accessed July 21, 2021