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Shark (Blue)

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Prionace glauca

Range

They are found in mild to tropical oceans around the world.

Habitat

They live in open water and don't come to coastal waters very much.

Body Traits

The blue shark has a long, thin body with a cone-shaped nose, 5 gill slits on each side and long front (pectoral) fins. They have big, round eyes and grow to ten feet long. Their backs and sides are blue and they are white underneath.

Habits

They rarely swim in shallow water, so don't attack people swimming at the beach. However, they might attack people in open water (ship wreck victims). They are thought to migrate long distances. They have been known to be attacked and eaten by California sea lions and larger sharks.

Diet

They are surface predators and eat mostly small fish and squid.

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Reproduction

Females are pregnant for 9-12 months (gestation). Then they give birth to 25-100 live young (viviparous) - not eggs.

Lifespan and/or Conservation Status

They are not endangered. In their range and habitat, they are very common.

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Order: Carcharhiniformes
Family: Carcharhinidae
Genus: Prionace
Species: P. glauca

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