This catshark used to be called lesser spotted dogfish. Sharks produce egg cases, called mermaids purses, which can sometimes wash up along our shoreline.

Behaviour

When threatened, catshark curl up into a doughnut shape.

Size

Up to 100 cm.

Status

Common.

Distribution

This is a common species found all around Scotland.

When to see

All year.

Facts

All sharks have very rough skin, covered in hard “dermal denticles” – which literally means “tiny skin teeth”. If rubbed the wrong way, they have a sandpaper-like texture.