Fun Dwarf Lanternshark Facts For Kids
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Sharks are a member of the elasmobranch fish species. Current sharks are characterized inside the clade Selachimorpha (or Selachii). They range in size from the little midget dwarf lanternshark to the biggest fish on the planet, the whale shark.
One of the most popular shark species is the dwarflantern shark (Etmopterus perryi). The predominant dwarf lanternshark can be recognized by its little size at the development along with its leveled head and dark ventral markings and a mid-dorsal fin line.
Since 1970, dwarflantern shark populaces have decreased by 71%, generally due to overfishing. Sharks are traded by some people for shark meat or shark-balanced soup. They prefer living in deep waters with considerable depth.
There are 25-35 teeth rows in the upper jaw and 30-34 teeth rows in the lower jaw of this shark species found at great depths. Here are some of the most interesting facts about the dwarf lanternshark (Etmopterus perryi) that will fascinate you.
For more relatable content, check out these goblin shark facts and sawback angelshark facts for kids.
Dwarf Lanternshark Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a dwarf lanternshark?
Dwarf lanternsharks (Etmopterus perryi) are a less-known type of dogfish shark in the Etmopteridae family and is the world's smallest shark.
What class of animal does a dwarf lanternshark belong to?
The dwarflantern shark species belongs to the fish class of animals of the family Etmopteridae.
How many dwarf lanternsharks are there in the world?
The population of the dwarflantern shark species in the world has not yet been ascertained. It is generally assumed that its population is safe as of now across the world because their preferred habitat is in great depth in the oceans.
Where does a dwarf lanternshark live?
As of now, the midget dwarflantern shark has been spotted swimming across the Caribbean Sea off the banks of Colombia and Venezuela, making way along Barranquilla and Santa Marta, close to the Guajira Peninsula, and between the Los Testigos Islands and Grenada.
They can be found in deep waters of around 150 ft (500m) in depth off the coast of Venezuela and Columbia.
What is a dwarf lanternshark's habitat?
The dwarflantern shark is a bathypelagic animal variety found off the coast of Colombia and Venezuela. A dwarflantern shark clearly occupies the upper continental shelves at a depth of around 928-1440 ft (283–439 m).
Who do dwarf lanternsharks live with?
The dwarf lanternshark can live alone or in groups depending on their environment.
How long does a dwarf lanternshark live?
The life expectancy of the bantam lamp dwarflantern shark is between 20-30 years. Bantam light sharks are frequently focused on parasites that shorten the life expectancy of these animals.
How do they reproduce?
Bantam dwarflantern sharks are ovoviviparous in terms of reproduction, where the eggs are formed and hatched inside the females, supported by yolk sacs. Females give birth to around eight to 10 pups, which measure generally 2.4 in (6.1 cm) in size.
What is their conservation status?
The standard IUCN Red List of Threatened Species currently lists the dwarflantern shark as a species with a Least Concern status in terms of conservation required. It is believed that with its habitat at considerable depths, its population is safe from overfishing.
Dwarf Lanternshark Fun Facts
What do dwarf lanternsharks look like?
The dwarflantern shark has a long, wide, straightened head with huge eyes and enormous, intense eyes. It has a striking and particular example of dark markings on its ventral surface.
It is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean off the shore of Africa. The skin is thickly covered by slim, needle-like dermal denticles in an arbitrary pattern.
Some of the ventral dark markings are made out of light-creating photophores, while others are made of color-containing chromatophores. The shark has a dark line along the center of its back, a dark band on the finish of its caudal balance, and a dull smudge on its lower caudal balance projection.
There are 25-35 tooth rows in the upper jaw and 30-34 tooth rows in the lower jaw. The tail has a significantly longer upper lobe.
* Please note that this is an image of a common sawfish, not a dwarf lanternshark. If you have an image of a dwarf lanternshark, please let us know at hello@kidadl.com.
How cute are they?
Dwarflantern sharks are not ugly yet not beautiful. They are just average-looking fish with elongated bodies and flattened heads.
How do they communicate?
Sharks can't make any clamor, so they use non-verbal communication to impart. Opening their jaws, gesturing their heads, and angling their bodies can be social signs as two sharks converse with one another.
How big is a dwarf lanternshark?
An average adult blacktip shark is seven times bigger than the dwarf lanternshark. The dwarf lanternshark can reach up to the greatest known length of 7.9 in (20 cm).
How fast can a dwarf lanternshark swim?
The dwarf lanternshark speed has not yet been calculated as this fish species lives in depths beyond 500 ft (152 m) in the oceans.
How much does a dwarf lanternshark weigh?
An average adult dwarf lanternshark can weigh up to 2 lb (0.9 kg). They are five times smaller than a horn shark and 15 times smaller than blacktip reef shark.
What are the male and female names of the species?
There is no specific name for adult males and female dwarf lanternsharks. They are known as males and females respectively.
What would you call a baby dwarf lanternshark?
A baby dwarf lantern shark is referred to as a pup.
What do they eat?
A carnivore genus, the dwarf lanternshark feeds on krill which are tiny crustaceans. The dwarf lanternshark is the world's tiniest shark, measuring about the length of a pencil.
Are they dangerous?
Dwarf lanternsharks emit light to entice food while remaining unseen to predators swimming below them. Dwarf lanternsharks are frequently preyed upon by parasites, which reduces their longevity.
Would they make a good pet?
No, aquarists cannot obtain the purest little sharks such as the dwarf lanternshark (Etmopterus perryi), which grows to a little over 7.9 in (20 cm) in length. They dwell in deep ocean settings and, because of the physical qualities of their native environment, they would not be ideal for captivity.
Did you know...
Dwarf lanternsharks' teeth are intended for cutting and slicing. The upper jaw contains 20-23 rows of teeth while the lower jaw has 30-34 rows of teeth.
A dwarf lanternshark has five tiny gill holes on the lateral side of the body. Dwarf lanternsharks, like many deep-sea species, exhibit bioluminescent features.
They have a photophore, a light-emitting organ situated on the seafloor.
While dwarf lanternsharks are quite small in size and do not require a very large tank, the nature of their habitat makes them non-ideal to buy as pets.
Are dwarf lanternshark dangerous to humans?
No, certain sharks are lethal, but only roughly 12 species have ever been engaged in a fatal attack. Dwarf lanternsharks are one of the tiniest sharks, measuring just around 6.7 in (17 cm) in length.
Are dwarf lanternsharks endangered?
Not really as these sharks still thrive in the oceans but are in danger against other big fishes.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other fish from our paddlefish facts and hammerhead shark facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable dwarf lanternshark coloring pages.
Dwarf Lanternshark Facts
What Did They Prey On?
Krill and other small fishWhat Type of Animal were they?
CarnivoresAverage Litter Size?
Up to 10 pups per cycleHow Much Did They Weigh?
2 lb (0.9 kg)What habitat Do they Live In?
deep waters off the coastWhere Do They Live?
south america (venezuela and columbia)How Long Were They?
7.9 in (20 cm)How Tall Were They?
Small sizeClass
ChondrichthyesGenus
EtmopterusFamily
EtmopteridaeScientific Name
Etmopterus perryiWhat Do They Look Like?
Dark brown color body, dark and light streaks on the body with a long, wide, flattened head, caudal fin/tail with a long upper lobe, and no anal finSkin Type
Wet and slimy scalesWhat Are Their Main Threats?
habitat lossWhat is their Conservation Status?
Least Concernsouth america (venezuela and columbia)
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Bachelor of Science specializing in Human Anatomy
Joan AgieBachelor of Science specializing in Human Anatomy
With 3+ years of research and content writing experience across several niches, especially on education, technology, and business topics. Joan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Anatomy from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, and has worked as a researcher and writer for organizations across Nigeria, the US, the UK, and Germany. Joan enjoys meditation, watching movies, and learning new languages in her free time.
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