Identification
The body is uniformly dark brown-gray, with darker edges on several fins. The lower tail lobe is poorly developed, while a notch occurs near the end of the upper lobe. It is a deep-water shark rather than a typical shallow reef species.
Deep Distribution
Scattered records span the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans, including island slopes and continental margins. The reported depth range extends from a few hundred meters to well beyond one thousand. Occasional shelf records do not make it a regular nearshore fish.
Live Young
Females give birth to a small litter, commonly reported as two to four pups. Developing embryos use yolk and additional unfertilized eggs, with uterine secretions also reported. The largest female length exceeds the male figure, so both are labeled separately.
Check the Female Maximum
A source may list the male measurement first even when females grow larger. The 295-centimeter female record is the greater published length here.
All Lakes With False Cat Shark
Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented False Cat Shark records, listed alphabetically. Records do not establish current abundance or public access. Check the evidence and managing authority for the water you choose.
No published lakes are currently linked to this species in our confirmed records.