Marine Life

Leopard Shark
(Triakis semifasciata)
Courtesy of Tom Haight

With black spots on a gray-bronze body this distinctly colored shark is one of the most beautiful in California. Reaching a length of 6 feet, they can be found both over sandy bottoms as well as rocky reefs from Oregon to Mexico. Leopard sharks can be seen from the surf zone to depths of 300 feet. Their diet includes worms, crabs and small fish. Spooked very easily, they are rarely seen up close in the wild. Leopard sharks do well in captivity often living over 20 years. Spring litters number between 4 and 29. The spotted coloration is thought to simulate the dappled light that strikes the ocean floor through the kelp.