Hexanchidae - cow sharks

There are four species in this family of sharks. They are found in Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, usually in deep water. They are 5-15 feet in length. The have a single dorsal fin placed well down on their backs; an anal fin; and six or seven pairs of gill slits, most shark species only have five gill slits.

The species in this family eat sharks, rays, bony fish, carrion, squid, and crustaceans. Females give birth to live young.

The species in this family include the bluntnose sixgill shark, the big eyed sixgill shark, and the bluntnose sevengill shark.

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct
Status taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status, or there is no status data for the species.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

New Hampshire Species		North/Central American Species
None		Sharpnose Sevengill Shark - Heptranchias perlo Bluntnose Sixgill Shark - Hexanchus griseus Bigeyed Sixgill Shark - Hexanchus nakamurai Broadnose Sevengill Shark - Notorynchus cepedianus

Additional Information

Resource Key
Profile Photos Video Audio

Broadnose Sevengill Shark - Notorynchus cepedianus
In the United States, the broadnose sevengill shark is found off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Broadnose Sevengill Shark - Notorynchus cepedianus
Broadnose sevengill sharks have been known to hunt in packs for seals.
Source: Monterey Bay Aquarium Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Broadnose Sevengill Shark - Notorynchus cepedianus
The broadnose sevengill shark has a broad head, small eyes, and a short, blunt snout.
Source: Florida Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School

Sharpnose Sevengill Shark - Heptranchias perlo
In the United States, the sharpnose sevengill shark is found off the coasts of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Bluntnose Sixgill Shark - Hexanchus griseus
In the United States, the bluntnose sixgill shark is found off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School