Kitefin shark
Dalatias licha
Size, compared with you
You: 1.7 m. Kitefin shark: 1.6 m.
Person-sized. Grows up to about 1.6 m.
The kitefin shark is a dark, slow-swimming shark that lives deep in the sea, usually near the bottom. It has strong jaws and sharp teeth that can take big bites out of its prey.
The weird bit
The kitefin is the largest known shark that makes its own light. Scientists think the glow may light up the sea floor while it hunts, or help it hide as it sneaks up on prey.
Quick facts
- Where it lives
- Deep sea0 to 1,800 m down
- What it eats
- Deep-sea fish, squid, octopus, crustaceans, small sharks and worms
- How worried are we?
- In trouble (Vulnerable)Assessed in 2017 by the IUCN Red List.