Unusual sea dog - Katran

Usually when talking about sharks, they immediately remember their dangerous jaws and large sizes. But among these representatives is a shark katran, which is not dangerous to humans. What is this fish?

Shark description

It should be noted right away that this marine inhabitant also has other names: "knot-boy", "dog shark", "sea dog", "prickly shark". In comparison with other toothy congeners, it has small body sizes, usually does not exceed 1.5 meters. These representatives are also cartilaginous. But many are interested in knowing what a sea dog looks like. Her body seems elongated, fusiform. The color of the katran is also "classical": gray or brown with a light belly. Some individuals have speckled sides. Caudal fin quite powerful. This fish has its own difference - at the base of each dorsal fin there is a sharp spike. By the way, that's why it is sometimes called a "prickly shark". At the bottom of the head there is a large transverse mouth. The body is covered with scales similar to chain mail, this particular feature has become destructive for this fish.

Rugged Hide

Over the years, the katrana was hunted mainly because of the skin. Scale plates that cover the entire body, have small, almost imperceptible spines. If you hold a hand over the body of the fish, it will seem gentle and smooth, but as soon as you start to lead against the scales, you can get very injured. Feeling very painful.

If the skin of the katran is damaged, it will heal very quickly, and new scales will grow on this place. As a sea dog can injure, fishermen treated it carefully. Previously, mittens were made from the skin of a fish, which were intended for grinding wood and precious metals. Also blacksmiths wore aprons from such a skin to protect themselves from injuries at work. Some worked it with stones.

Where dwells

Most of these representatives can be found in the waters of the Black Sea. But we can safely say that this is also the fish of the Mediterranean Sea, the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. In addition, katrans swim in the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait. Some met a sea dog in the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan.

Shark Life

It was not wasted that the katrans preferred to dwell in the Black Sea. These conditions are a protection for them, since other sharks will not swim here due to the composition of water, lack of food, cold. But to adapt to this life was able to sea dog. The fish feels well at a temperature of 7 - 14 degrees, so it practically does not meet near the coast. In shallow water, it only comes in the autumn or spring, when hydrogen sulphide rises from the depths. The fish hibernate at a depth of one hundred meters. They keep their flocks and try with other "families" not to cross.

They have a good appetite, and often they steal the scammies and anchovies that are still in the nets. Sometimes they hunt "Azov", but infrequently, since these dolphins are still large for them. The fish of the Mediterranean and two oceans are at risk of being caught in the net or eaten by sea dogs. And in some countries for the capture of thieves-katrans is given a reward. But now in the North-East Atlantic decided to ban the capture of prickly sharks, as their species was endangered by extinction.

Marriage period

A sea dog can surprise, as its maturity comes on the decline of life, at 13 - 17 years. Males are ready for marriage by the age of 11. The mating period begins at the end of April at a depth of 50 to 100 meters. The duration of pregnancy katrans lasts from 1.5 to 2 years. Malkov in the womb of a female is usually about 15 pieces. The children born immediately begin to show their predatory disposition. They hunt the fry of other fish and like small shrimp.

Is Katran dangerous for humans?

Among the naive inhabitants there are myths that sharp processes on the back of a shark are poisonous and can even kill. In fact, thorns are not filled with poison, but are simply covered with mucus. But do not relax, because if the katran injures you with its thorn, this mucus, in which bacteria live, will get wounded, and inflammation will begin. Often remains a scar. Also, a sea dog does not pose a danger, if we consider it as a predator. In the whole history, there have been no cases of katran attacks on humans.