History of... Pyjama Shark

Name: Pyjama Shark
Scientific Name: Poroderma africanum
Family: Shark
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Habitation: Ocean
Global Location: South African Coast
Discovery:
Pyjama sharks were discovered and named in 1789 by German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin

The pyjama shark are usually found in the coastal waters of South Africa.

They are a bottom-dwelling species and can be found between the foreshore and up to depths of around (330 ft). Particularly over rocky reefs and kelp beds.

Pyjama sharks get their name from several thick dark stripes that run along the length of their body. It also has a short head and snout. They can grow up to 1.1 m (3.6 ft) long. Both male and females are around the same size.

The pyjama shark is primarily nocturnal, spending most of the day lying motionless and hidden in a cave or crevice or among vegetation. It often forms groups, particularly during summer.

As slow swimmers, they are opportunistic predators that feed on a wide variety of fishes and invertebrates. Its favourite food is cephalopods (squid, octopus etc) and frequents the spawning grounds of the chokka squid. If Pyjama Sharks feel threatened, they curl into a circle with their tail covering their head.

Reproduction occurs throughout the year. Females lay two rectangular dark brown egg cases. In captivity eggs have been observed to hatch after around 5.5 months.

Pyjama sharks are not know to be a threat to humans and are very difficult to approach in the wild.

The biggest predator to Pyjama Sharks are other larger species of shark and cape fur seals. Many are killed by humans in the fishing industry as they sometimes get caught on lines or in nets.

Humans commonly display Pyjama Sharks in public aquariums due to their small size and non aggressive nature.

Although there is nothing to suggest it is on the endangered list, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed the pyjama shark as least concern.