The notion that sharks are dangerous predators and ruthless killers has firmly entrenched in our minds. However, this description does not apply to the katran shark, which lives in the Black Sea and does not attack vacationers.
The katran shark belongs to the order of the katran-shaped family of prickly (dog) sharks. It has a large area of distribution in different seas of the World Ocean, in particular, in the Black Sea. The shark tries to avoid too warm or too cold water. Usually the katran keeps at a depth of 100-200 meters and near the coast, it rises to the surface only at night. As a rule, fish do not migrate too far. In autumn, the migration of the katran to areas of mass accumulations of horse mackerel and anchovy begins.
The katran shark, also known as the spiny shark, is a medium-sized predator and the only shark in the Black Sea. It does not differ in large sizes, its length varies from 70 to 125 centimeters. Quite rarely there are individuals measuring two meters in size. The mass of a predator is on average 10-12 kilograms. Katran has a well-developed sense of smell, while the shark practically does not feel pain.
The Black Sea katran shark has the same external data as the rest of its squad: light color on the belly, dark on the back and sides, slender spindle-shaped body structure, conical head with a sickle-shaped mouth. A distinctive external feature of spiny sharks is the absence of an anal fin and a nictitating eye membrane - the "third eyelid".
Katran is a shark that does not pose a serious threat to human life on the Black Sea coast. The only danger to humans is the possibility of getting hurt by the prickly fins of the fish. The special placoid scales that cover the skin of a shark are similar in composition to teeth and bones. So, shark scales consist of leather plates that are adjacent to each other and form pointed peaks. The shark has sharp and poisonous spines covered with mucus, but the poison of the katran is far from fatal. Katran has small and multi-row sharp teeth that are updated throughout life. They gradually fall out and are replaced by new ones.
Shark katran is a large predator of the Black Sea. The main food of a young katran is small fish, fry and shrimps. For adults, the favorite food is herring, cod, horse mackerel, as well as squid and even octopuses. The life expectancy of a katran is quite long - 25 years. The spiny shark hunts in small flocks, following the accumulations of fish.
Katran shark is a viviparous fish, females give birth to about 14 sharks, which appear fully formed andready for independent existence. Their weight is 40-50 grams. By one year, sharks grow up to 35 centimeters. Full puberty is reached by the age of 13-17.
The katran shark often creates trouble for fishermen by eating their catch and destroying gear, but does not attack vacationers. The sea dog is a valuable commercial fish and a useful food product. Meat, liver and cartilage of fish contain a large amount of valuable substances for the body, contributing to its recovery. Its meat, which has a pleasant taste and delicate texture, contains about 12% fat. Fish liver is especially valuable, from which medical fat is produced, which has vitamins A and D.
