Heterodontus quoyi (Fréminville, 1840)
Galapagos bullhead shark
photo by Murch, A.

Family:  Heterodontidae (Bullhead, horn, or Port Jackson sharks)
Max. size:  107 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 40 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Peru (including offshore islands) and the Galapagos Islands. There might be another Heterodontus species from Peru which is Heterodontus peruanus, but these two cannot be separated as of this time for lack of materials examined.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Inhabits sand flat and rocky, boulder strewn reef areas, with sand between outcroppings in inshore continental and insular waters. Rests motionless on the bottom. Is docile, non-aggressive and a poor swimmer (Ref. 5227). Nocturnal (Ref. 43278). Feeds on shellfish, crabs, and small invertebrates (Ref. 28023). Oviparous (Ref. 50449). Size at birth (for a newly hatched male) is 17 cm.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 January 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  traumatogenic


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