Hobbies And Interests
Physical Characteristics
Aside from the squashed looking, semi-circular head, bonnetheads are fairly typical small sharks. They reach a maximum length of about 4 feet long and become sexually mature at 3 feet. They have, in common with many other oceanic fish, darker backs than bellies. This makes them less conspicuous to both predators and prey. When seen from above against the darker ocean depths, they blend in, as they do when seen from below against the pale surface. At the time of publication, the specific function behind the shape of the shark's head is not known.
Habitat
Bonnetheads live off the coastlines of both North and South America, although not anywhere else. They live in fairly shallow coastal habitat, especially during the summer months where they are found in grass or mud bays and estuaries. During the winter, they appear to move into deeper coastal waters, although they don't move into the open ocean.
Diet
This species survives mainly on a diet on crustaceans such as crabs. They are not adverse to other food however, and eat fish, octopi and mollusks when they come across them. They also eat a large amount of seagrasses, possibly as roughage to aid digestion.
Lifespan
Bonnethead sharks reach maturity when they are about 2 to 3 years old. They live to at least 12 years if they escape predators. Potential threats to the shark include human activities, both deliberate hunting and accidental by catch, and larger predators.
Social
This is a social species that forms small groups of the same gender. Segregation by gender is a common behavior among sharks, although the reasons for it are uncertain. It is possibly related to reproduction and the different needs of males and females. A hierarchy in each group develops, which appears to be primarily based on size.
Reproduction
Bonnetheads give birth to litters of live young rather than laying eggs. When born, the shark pups are nearly half the length of the adults. This gives them a good start in life, but means the mothers can't have many pups at a time. Bonnethead litters usually number only about six to nine juvenile sharks.