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Heterodontus marshallae is a small species of hornshark, reaching a maximum length of about 60 cm. It has a robust body, a blunt head with prominent crests above the eyes, and a small mouth. It has two dorsal fins, each with a long spine in front, and an anal fin that is well separated from the caudal fin. The caudal fin has a prominent lower lobe and a large terminal lobe. The pectoral and pelvic fins are large and triangular.
The most distinctive feature of Heterodontus marshallae is its color pattern, which consists of 22 dark brown bands and saddles on a light greyish brown background.
Featured interview
Beluga Whales with the Alaska Wildlife Alliance
In this episode of the Wild for Change podcast, Teresa Becher and Mandy Migura from the Alaska Wildlife Alliance discuss the endangered beluga whales living in the Cook Inlet. Teresa is the beluga whale monetary coordinator, responsible for coordinating monitoring sessions and being an expert on beluga whale behavior in the area. Mandy is the deputy director and Marine program officer for Alaska Wildlife Alliance, and she coordinates a group of nonprofits advocating for the recovery of the beluga whales. They discuss the decline in the beluga whale population and the major threats they face.
Featured video
Deadly ocean trash - The impact of ghost nets
Every year, about a million tons of fishing nets are lost or dumped in the sea, known as "ghost nets," causing indiscriminate deaths of marine animals. Synthetic nets, which take up to 600 years to decompose, are a significant part of this problem. Initiatives worldwide attempt to salvage and recycle ghost nets, but the process is expensive and dangerous.
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Did you know?
Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)
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- It is the largest living reptile, reaching over 6 meters in length and weighing over 1,000 kg.
- It inhabits both saltwater and freshwater habitats across India, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia.
- It has the highest bite force of any animal, with a pressure of 2.5 tons per square inch.
- It is an opportunistic predator that can eat almost any animal, including mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, and even sharks and other crocodiles.
- It can swim at speeds of 15 miles per hour, holding its limbs against its body to become more streamlined.
From the library
Protecting and connecting landscapes stabilizes populations of the Endangered savannah elephant is a research article published in Science Advances in January 2024. The article discusses the importance of protecting and connecting landscapes for the conservation of the Endangered savannah elephant.
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