PYJAMA SHARK
'Poroderma africanum'
NAME: Pyjama Shark
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Poroderma africanum
OTHER COMMON NAMES: Pyjama catshark, striped catshark
STATUS: Least concern
POPULATION DECLINE: The Pyjama Shark, with its cute striped look, often ends up as bycatch in longline, gillnet, beach seine, trawl, and commercial or recreational fishing. However, over the last 75 years, their numbers have actually increased by a whopping 133%
It seems these sharks have a knack for thriving. Part of their success might be down to less trawling in their rocky, hard-to-fish habitats, plus their impressive ability to reproduce in large numbers.
SIZE: At birth: 14-17cm. Mature males: 72cm. Mature females: 78cm. Max size: 109cm
DISTRIBUTION: These remarkable little sharks are true locals, found only along the coast of South Africa; they’re completely endemic to this region!
HABITAT: These sharks make their homes in the southern African kelp forests, often tucked away under rocks or hidden in caves. You’ll also spot them on the upper slopes of continental shelves, in surf zones, and intertidal areas.
DIET: Pyjama sharks have a taste for crustaceans like crabs found on rocky reefs! They snack on small fish, the egg cases of other sharks, and they actively hunt octopuses and squid.
BEHAVIOUR: Though mostly nocturnal, these clever sharks won’t pass up a daytime meal when the chance arises. Shy and skittish, they're rarely spotted by divers, but if you know where to look and stay calm, you might just get lucky and spot one on a dive or snorkel.
BIOLOGY:
- Pyjama sharks are oviparous, laying eggs that are nourished by a yolk sac and left on the seafloor to develop. The eggs are anchored by long, spiralled tendrils that wrap around rocks and kelp, securing them in place.
- Females can lay eggs year-round, typically in pairs, and it takes about five months or more for the eggs to hatch.
- Pyjama Sharks reach maturity at 0.8 m in length.
- Lifespan: they live up to 21 years
THREATS: Fortunately, the population of these small sharks is on the rise, which is a positive development in the world of sharks. While humans are not a major threat to them, their small size makes them an easy target for predators, especially broadnose sevengill sharks and Cape fur seals.
FUN FACTS
- Pyjama sharks are slow swimmers, often spending the day completely still and only coming to life at night to hunt for food.
- Their egg cases, known as 'mermaid's purses,' are often found washed up on the shore after hatching, just one of the ocean's little treasures!
- When hunting, these sharks use a clever tactic: they bite their prey and spin in a dramatic ‘death roll’ to catch their meal, which often includes octopus, squid, and crabs.
REFERENCES
- “Pyjama Shark.” Save Our Seas Foundation, saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/species/pyjama-shark.
- “The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.” IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, www.iucnredlist.org/.
- David A. Ebert. et al, 2021, Sharks of the World: A Complete Guide.