It seems like just about everything here in Izu is cute (or perhaps I’m only taking photos of the cute things?)…even the sharks.
Here’s a Japanese bullhead shark (Heterodontus japonicus), which doesn’t exactly fit the popular media stereotype (perhaps stereohype is a better term?) of sharks.
This is a juvenile, about 50cm to 60cm long. During this time of year, there are quite a few of these juveniles around, apparently quite often just sitting on the bottom like this, minding their own business.
They are bottom feeders, grabbing crustaceans, small fish, molluscs and the like…so they’re no threat to people. And up close, their scrunched up faces and little pug snouts are really quite endearing.
Very cool baby shark!
But for the colour, looks exactly lke the baby Crested Horn Sharks (Heterodontus galeatus) and Port Jackson Sharks (Heterodontus portusjacksoni) we get in Australia.
Indeed there is a site called the Nursery in Jervis Bay (New South Wales) where at the right time of year you are almost guarranteed to see juveniles.
Cheers,
Aengus
Hi Aengus,
I think these are basically Japanese Port Jackson sharks, so the similarity sounds logical!
Izu is pretty much the same as the area in Jervis Bay, in the sense that at this time of year, you’re pretty much guaranteed juveniles…or so my guides tell me. I haven’t dived enough here to know first-hand, but I trust what they’re telling me
Cheers,
Tony
wow,this is cool!when i am in school my animal is that