- Body is slender, brown to olive-gray on back, fading to a whitish belly
- Snout is long and sharply rounded
- Very long upper labial furrow (groove around the lips)
- Dorsal and caudal fins with black edges, especially in juveniles
- First dorsal fin starts well behind pectoral fin
- Second dorsal fin starts over or behind the middle of the anal fin
- Adults may have small white spots on sides
- No interdorsal ridge
Similar Species: Blacknose shark, C. acronotus (has dark snout tip)
Habitat & Range
Coastal waters; can be found near the surf zone; common in bays and estuaries.
Adults also found offshore.
Life History
Pregnant females migrate offshore after mating occurs in late spring and early summer.Β Females return 10-11 months later to give birth to live young in nearshore areas. Broods contain 4-7 pups. Size at birth 11-15 inches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Size
Adults mature between 2 and 3 feet long (about 2-4 years of age) and rarely grow more than 3.5 feet long. Maximum observed ages in recent studies have shown this species can live up to at least 9 years.
