Appearance and lifestyle:
These catsharks can be distinguished from other species by the absence of the groove which joins the mouth to the nostrils. They also have a long barbel that projects downwards from each nostril. They got their name because of their leopard-like dark spots.
Leopard catsharks (Poroderma pantherinum) grow to approximately 84cm in length.
Habitat:
Leopard catsharks are endemic to South Africa, found from Saldanha Bay to the Thukela River, but are rare in KwaZulu-Natal waters.
They live at depths up to 250m in the waters of the Eastern Cape. However, they prefer the shallow coastal waters of the southern and western Cape regions.
Diet:
They feed at night on small, bottom-dwelling fish, crustaceans, and squid.
Threats:
They are on the IUCN list as least concern.
Leopard catsharks spend most of their time on the sandy bottom, often close to reefs.
These sharks feed at night.
Harmless to humans.