Notorynchus cepedianus

Order: Hexanchiformes

The broadnose seven-gill is the most commonly seen member of the cow shark family. Unlike most of its close relatives, which tend to inhabit deep water, the broadnose seven-gill prefers shallow coastal waters. An impressively undiscriminating scavenger, it eats everything from carrion to other sharks and seals and can behave aggressively towards swimmers and divers.

The hexanchiform sharks all have either six or seven pairs of gills, which distinguish them from the vast majority of sharks, which are equipped with a mere five pairs. Little is known about the deepwater species, and there is some debate about which sharks actually belong in this family. The frilled shark, for example, is considered by some biologists to be a member of the order, Hexanchiformes, but many researchers now place it in its own order.

Maximum size: 3 metres.

Distribution: Worldwide in temperate seas.

Diet: Very broad, including sharks, rays and other fish, crustaceans, molluscs, seals, octopuses and carrion.

Reproduction: Oviparous. Litters of up to 80 eggs have been recorded.