Natal Shyshark
Haploblepharus kistnasamyi
- Vulnerable
- Card rarity: Rare
- Sharks and rays
The Natal shyshark, eastern shyshark or happy chappie is a species of shark belonging to the family Pentanchidae, the deepwater catsharks. It was once regarded as the "Natal" form of the puffadder shyshark. This shark is endemic to a small area off South Africa from the Western Cape to KwaZulu-Natal. It is found close to the coast, from the surf zone to a depth of 30 m (98 ft), and has benthic habits. Reaching 50 cm (20 in) in length, the Natal shyshark is similar to the puffadder shyshark in appearance but has a stockier body, less flattened head, a compressed caudal peduncle, and a different color pattern. Rare and under threat from habitat degradation and commercial fishing, it has been assessed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Classification
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Order
- Carcharhiniformes
- Family
- Pentanchidae
- Genus
- Haploblepharus