Shark
Broadnose Sevengill Shark
Notorynchus cepedianus
The 'cow shark' - a primitive, seven-gilled shark, broad-headed and spotted, that cruises kelp edges and reef margins.
Also known as broadnose sevengill, cow shark, seven-gill, sevengill, sevengill cow shark, spotted cow shark
- Typical size
- Commonly 2-3 m
- Habitat
- Kelp edges, reef margins and sandy bottoms
- Depth
- Shallows to ~135 m
Locally called the cow shark, the broadnose sevengill is an ancient-lineage shark that keeps the seven gill slits of its early relatives, where most modern sharks have five. It is broad-headed, silvery-grey and peppered with small dark spots.
It hunts along kelp beds, reef edges and sandy bottoms, often near the surface at dusk, taking fish, other sharks and seals. Curious but generally cautious around divers, it is one of the more distinctive sharks to see over these reefs.