Hexanchus griseus

Distinguishing Characteristics:

  • Six gill slits
  • Stout shark, with a broad, blunt snout
  • Bright-green eyes
  • Single dorsal fin
  • Color is dark gray to dark brown on top, whitish below

Habitat: Deepwater, bottom-dwelling, usually reported along the continental shelf and upper slopes down to 6,500 feet

Size: Up to 15.7 feet

Note: The sixgill shark is such a voracious eater that it will sometimes pursue very large prey, such as swordfish and dolphins.

This video of a bluntnose sixgill shark spotted off Santa Cruz Island was taken by the ROV Hercules. (Source: EVNautilus)