The horn shark isn't a typical shark. Instead of swimming in pursuit of large prey, this slow-moving fish scrapes along the ocean floor in search of clams and oysters. Its teeth aren't big and sharp enough to keep away enemies, so the horn shark has two spines on its back that are primed with venom and make great defensive weapons.
Shell Cracker: The horn shark spend its feeding time on the seabed, grabbing crabs, sea urchins and mollusks with the rows of small, sharp teeth in the front of its jaws. It uses blunt teeth in the back of its mouth to crack open the hard shells of its prey.
Double Trouble: This shark has two dorsal fins on its back, with a sharp spine growing in front of each one. The shark can jab enemies with these, and each is connected to a gland that squirts stinging venom into a victim's wound.
Hard to Crack[]
Horn sharks have some of the most unusual-looking eggs (shown left) in the wild kingdom. The eggs are green to gold in color, and have a spiral ridge wrapped around them, like a screw. When the female lays an egg, she takes it in her mouth and wedges it between two rocks. She then gives it a couple of turns to fasten it in place so egg-eating predators can't pull it loose. The baby horn shark looks like a tiny adult when it hatches, and its venomous spines are already sharp and ready to protect it.
Walk Like a Shark: The horn shark is not a great swimmer, so it can't chase after agile prey in the water. When feeding, this fish is known to "crawl" along the ocean floor (left), using its pectoral fins like legs.
Color-Coded: These sharks come in different colors, ranging from white to green or brown, and are marked with with black spots or stripes. These colors and patterns help the horn shark stay hidden among rocks and plants as it rests during the day.
Spear vs. Spear[]
- A diver armed with a spear gun suddenly realizes that he has come face-to-face with a shark. Not realizing that the horn shark is docile and would much rather swim away than attack him, the startled diver shoots a spear directly through the horn shark's body.
- The injured shark now feels it has to fight for its life, so it swims toward the diver, and slashes deeply into his leg with one of its spines, injecting painful venom into the wound. The blood in the water from the shark and the diver will likely attract more vicious sharks.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- Due to the markings, the horn shark in the illustration featured on the front is most likely a Port Jackson shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni). The one in the back left photo is likely a Japanese bullhead shark (Heterodontus japonicus).