Details
Prionace glauca
The blue shark is a slender oceanic shark that roams widely. Its blue back and long pectoral fins suit a life spent cruising for squid and fish, especially at night.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It occupies temperate to tropical open waters of the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Indian Ocean. It ranges far from land, following prey and temperature through surface layers.
Length 200-380 cm; weight 25 kg-200 kg. A vivid blue back, white underside, and very long pectoral fins are distinctive. The narrow body and long tail favor efficient long-distance travel.
Nocturnal and flexible socially, it may travel alone or in loose groups. Individuals cruise broad areas and gather where prey is concentrated.
A carnivore, it eats squid, small fishes, and drifting animals. It also approaches weakened fish and food around fishing gear.
Females give birth to many developed young after internal development. Juveniles grow in relatively warm oceanic waters.
It is listed as Near Threatened, and its wide-ranging life in open water leaves it exposed to fishing pressure and bycatch.
