Facts about Velvet Dogfish

1. 08

   A member of the family Etmopteridae, the velvet dogfish is classified within the genus Scymnodon, distinguishing it from the closely related lanternsharks.

   Velvet DogfishJun 8sharetaxonomybiologyclassification
2. 07

   Equipped with large eyes relative to body size, velvet dogfish hunt small fish and crustaceans using enhanced vision adapted to the perpetual darkness of abyssal zones.

   Velvet DogfishMay 14sharebiologysensorydeep-sea
3. 06

   At approximately 20 centimeters long, velvet dogfish represent some of the smallest shark species ever discovered in Earth's oceans.

   Velvet DogfishMay 14sharebiologymeasurementsize
4. 05

   Velvet dogfish possess a specialized jaw structure allowing them to unhinge their mouths to consume prey nearly their own body size in the deep ocean.

   Velvet DogfishMay 14shareanatomypredationdeepwater
5. 04

   The velvet dogfish's teeth lack enamel coating, allowing them to remain sharp throughout the shark's lifetime without the wear that affects most vertebrates.

   Velvet DogfishMay 14shareanatomybiologyadaptation
6. 03

   Lanternsharks like the velvet dogfish possess enlarged livers comprising up to 25 percent of their body weight, providing buoyancy for deep-sea existence.

   Velvet DogfishMay 14sharebiologyanatomyadaptation
7. 02

   Female velvet dogfish produce only two to four pups per litter, making them among the least fecund shark species in the ocean.

   Velvet DogfishMay 14sharereproductionbiologymarine
8. 01

   Depths exceeding 600 meters host the velvet dogfish, a bioluminescent shark equipped with photophores along its body for deep-sea communication.

   Velvet DogfishMay 14sharebiologybioluminescencemeasurement