Prickly Shark (Echinorhinus cookei). Illustration: R. Aidan Martin
Bramble sharks are named for thorn-like 'dermal denticles' that grow over their body. Bramble sharks are rare, although widely distributed. Living towards the bottom in moderately to very deep waters, bramble sharks are believed to attack their prey by sucking them in and then expanding the mouth to vacuum them in further. Until recently, bramble sharks were included among the dogfish sharks in the Squaliforme order, but molecular and other analysis warranted a separate order.
Characteristics of Bramble Sharks, Order Echinorhiniformes
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# of Species
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2
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Body shape
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Rounded; stocky build; 10 to 13 feet, depending on species
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Mouth position
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Underneath; Moderate size
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Anal fin
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No
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Dorsal Fin
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2
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Fin spines
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No
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# of Gill slits
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5
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Reproduction
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Ovoviviparous (eggs develop in the mother’s body and are born alive).
Litter size: Bramble sharks 15-24 pups; Prickly shark over 100 pups.
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Unique qualities
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Enlarged, thorn-like denticles scattered over the body
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Habitat
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Marine, deep water from cool temperate to tropical zones of the eastern Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Moderate to very deep waters — from 36 to 2,950 feet
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Food
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Bramble sharks feed on mostly bottom-dwelling sharks, fish, crabs, octopuses, and squids
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Species of Bramble Sharks -- 2 Species
Red indicates inclusion on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species.
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Order Echinorhiniformes - Bramble Sharks
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Family Echinorhinidae - Bramble Sharks
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Genus Echinorhinus
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Species
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Common name
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Echinorhinus brucus
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Bramble Shark
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Echinorhinus cookei
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Prickly Shark
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