Sawshark
Sawshark Introduction
Sawsharks get their name from their long, saw-like snouts. To eat their prey, the sharks slash their snouts back and forth, slicing through fish with their sharp, protruding teeth. Sawsharks are not the same thing as a sawfish, which is a type of ray that has a similar snout.
There are eight species of sawsharks—longnose or common sawshark, shortnose, sawshark, Bahamas sawshark, Japanese sawshark, sixgill sawshark, African dwarf sawshark, Lana’s sawshark, and the tropical sawshark.
Sawsharks live in many warm oceans around the world, including the Indian and Pacific Oceans. They eat fish, crustaceans, and squid. These sharks swim along the ocean floor in search of marine animals hiding in the mud. Special organs on their saws called Ampullae of Lorenzini help them detect the electromagnetic fields of their prey.
Sawsharks are not endangered and have little contact with humans because they usually swim deep under the ocean’s surface.
Keywords to Learn
Crustacean: A hard-bodied animal like a crab or lobster
Species: Group of living organisms

About Me:
Hey Kids, my name is Sam the sawshark and I am very happy to meet you. Learn more about me and my species https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

Key Data
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Order:Pristiophoroiformes.
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Lifespan:15 years.
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Class:Chondrichthyes.
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Scientific Name:Pristiophorus.
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Mass:18.7 to 20 lbs.
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Length:5 ft.
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Region found:Warm oceans around the world.
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Population Status:Least concerned.
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Current population trend:Stable.
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Diet:Fish, squid, and crustaceans.
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Sexual maturity:2 years.
As you have just learned, sawsharks are known for their long snouts that look like a saw. Sawsharks not aggressive or dangerous to humans.
Now that you know more about the sawshark by learning the key data above, be sure also to check out the fun facts. When you are finished learning the facts, try answering the questions in the Q&A corner on the bottom right side of the page.
Download questions about the sawshark here: Sawshark (answers are on this page)
Teachers. For more in depth work sheets on sharks. Click on Kidskonnect Worksheets
Fun Facts for Kids
- # 1. Sawshark mothers typically give birth to 3-22 pups. They care for their babies for up to two years.
- # 2. Sawsharks live around 15 years in the wild.
- # 3. Sawsharks live alone or in schools with other sawsharks.
- # 4. Sawsharks are covered with very hard scales.
- # 5. The sixgill sawshark has six gills instead of five.
Q&A Corner
- # 1. Are sawsharks related to sawfish?
- # 2. How do sawsharks catch their prey?
- # 3. What do sawsharks they eat?
- # 4. Are sawsharks endangered?
- # 5. Are sawsharks dangerous to humans?
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