Scientific name: Notorynchus cepedianus

Common names: Broadnose sevengill shark, seven gills, cow sharks, wolves of the sea

Habitat: Coastal, common in shallow bays and close to shore, to the surf line. Usually found at the surface to depths of 50 metres. Larger sharks range into deeper channels and offshore to depths of at least 136m

Known Predators: Other Sharks, main threat is humans.

Measurements: Born: 34 - 45 cm

Males: 130 - 170 cm

Females: ~200 cm

Max: 290 cm (Possibly 300 - 400 cm)

Identification: Usually many small black spots on grey/brown body, occasionally plain or with white spots. Newborns' black tips to dorsal fin and upper caudal lobe vanash with growth. Bluntly pointed broad head. White mouth, six rows of large comb-shaped lower teeth on each side. Small eyes, and seven gill slits.

Behaviour: Active strong swimmer, often cruises steadily and slowly near the bottom and sometimes at the surface. Attacks prey at high speed. Most active at night, during overcast conditions and in turbid water. Often moves in and offshore with rising and falling tide, and out of low salinity conditions. Apparently social; often found in aggregations. Probably migratory in temperate areas, but adjacent populations may be isolated and use different breeding grounds.

Biology: Powerful top predator on marine vertebrates. Mating may occur in autumn/winter. Probably a one-year gestation followed by one year recovery. Half the adult population gives birth each spring to 67 - 104 pups in shallow nursery bays. Males mature at 4 - 5 years and females 11 - 21 years, longevity 30 - 50 years. Newborn length doubles in 6 months; adults grow only 0 - 9 cm/year.

Diet: Other sharks, bony fish, seals and carrion.

IUCN Conservation Status: Data Deficient

Where to dive with them: Cape Town, South Africa

Distribution: