Hexanchus Temporal range: 196–0 Ma Sinemurian to present |
|
---|---|
Bluntnose sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus) |
|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Chondrichthyes |
Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
Superorder: | Selachimorpha |
Order: | Hexanchiformes |
Family: | Hexanchidae |
Genus: |
Hexanchus Rafinesque, 1810 |
Species | |
See text. |
See text.
The sixgill sharks are a genus, Hexanchus, of deepwater sharks in the family Hexanchidae. These sharks are characterized by a broad, pointed head, six pairs of gill slits, comb-like, yellow lower teeth, and a long tail. It can grow up to 8 m long and weigh over 600 kg (1320 lb). They are abyssal plain scavengers with a keen sense of smell and are among the first to arrive at carrion, together with hagfish and rattails. They show a characteristic rolling motion of the head when feeding. They have been found at depths to 2,500 ft (760 m).