Sharks are an integral species that play an important role in our ecosystems.
At up to 9.5 feet long, sevengill sharks are the largest species of shark that lives and breeds in San Francisco Bay. Photo by Aquarium of the Bay/Courtney Lauchaire
By Mallory Johnson
Published: November, 2015
Sharks are an integral species that play an important role in our ecosystems. Even though sharks have been around for over 400 million years, there’s still a lot about these prehistoric animals that remains a mystery.
For example, last month, we presciently published a story about white sharks occasionally peeking their heads into the Bay. The story was timely because, in October, a group of tourists witnessed a white shark attacking a sea lion just off Alcatraz Island. The attack, which is the first known white shark predation event inside the Bay, was captured on dramatic video that has been circulating on the Internet.
To follow up on the renewed interest in the Bay’s sharks, you can enjoy these fun facts that we do know about the sharks of Alcatraz. You can learn even more about these amazing animals in person at Aquarium of the Bay.
Horn Shark – Horn sharks inhabit temperate waters from central California to Baja Mexico, and tend to stick with shallow waters less than 40 feet deep. These bottom dwellers can be seen virtually crawling along the ocean floor with the help of their strong pectoral fins.
Fun fact: Female horn sharks lay spiral egg cases, which they place in crevices while they wait for them to hatch.
Leopard Shark – Leopard sharks are the most common shark species in San Francisco Bay and along the California coast. Similar to horn sharks, leopard sharks tend to stick toward the bottom of shallower waters, where there is bountiful access to favorite foods including crabs, shrimp, worms, small fish and fish eggs.
Fun fact: Leopard shark pregnancy lasts 10-12 months and can produce anywhere from 4-33 pups at a time.
Sevengill Shark – Sevengill sharks are the largest shark species living in San Francisco Bay. Male sevengill sharks grow up to 6.5 feet long, while their female counterparts grow to an impressive 9.5 feet. Sevengill sharks are ovoviviparous, meaning they give birth to live young. It is thought that San Francisco Bay may be the primary pupping ground on the West Coast for sevengills.
Fun fact: Sevengill sharks sometimes hunt in groups, with individual sharks working together to capture larger prey.
White Shark – Unlike sevengills, leopard and horn sharks, white sharks do not reside in San Francisco Bay, though they have been known to stop by for the occasional quick visit. White sharks can typically be spotted along the California coast from late summer to early winter, also known as “Sharktober.”
Fun fact: White sharks are one of the only sharks that can lift their heads above water to observe their surroundings—a behavior called spy-hopping.
You can get up close and personal with the Bay’s sharks when you visit Aquarium of the Bay. Walk through out underwater tunnels and surround yourself with local shark species, including leopard sharks, tope sharks, angel sharks, swell sharks and sevengill sharks. Catch exciting presentations given by shark experts, play at our interactive shark stations, and learn everything you need to know about the sharks of Alcatraz.
For more information, visit www.aquariumofthebay.org.
Mallory Johnson is the Communications Manager at Aquarium of the Bay, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting, restoring and inspiring the conservation of San Francisco Bay and its watershed.
