African Dwarf Sawshark (IMAGE)

California Academy of Sciences

African Dwarf Sawshark

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Pristiophorus nancyae, or the African dwarf sawshark, is one of 140 new species described by the California Academy of Sciences in 2011. This specimen was collected at a depth of 1,600 feet off the coast of Mozambique. It is notable for its elongated blade-like snout, or “rostrum,” which is studded with sharp teeth and used as a weapon. The sawshark will swim through a school of fish swinging its rostrum back and forth, stunning and injuring prey, and then swim back to consume the casualties.

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California Academy of Sciences

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