The assertion that sharks are dangerous predators and ruthless killers has firmly strengthened 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 detachment of the katranobrazny family of prickly (canine) sharks. It has a large distribution area in different seas of the World Ocean, in particular, in the Black Sea. Shark tries to avoid too warm or too cold water. Typically, the katran is kept at a depth of 100-200 meters and near the coast, rises to the surface only at night. As a rule, fish do not migrate too far. In autumn, the migration of katrana to areas of mass concentrations of horse mackerel and hamsa begins.
The Katran shark, also known as the prickly shark, is a medium-sized predator and the only shark of the Black Sea. It does not differ in large sizes, its length varies from 70 to 125 centimeters. Quite rarely, individuals are two meters in size. The mass of a predator averages 10-12 kilograms. Katran has a well-developed sense of smell, while the shark practically does not feel pain.
The Black Sea shark Katran has the same external data as the other representatives of its order: light color on the belly, dark on the back and sides, a slender spindle-like body structure, conical head with a sickle-shaped mouth. A distinctive external sign of spiny sharks is the absence of an anal fin and a blinking eye membrane - the “third century”.
Katran is a shark that does not pose a serious threat to the lives of people on the Black Sea coast. The only danger to humans is the possibility of injury by the spiny fins of the fish. A special placoid scale that covers the skin of a shark is 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 spikes covered with mucus, but the poison of the katran is far from fatal. Katran has small and multi-row sharp teeth that are renewed 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 the young katran is small fish, fry and shrimp. For adults, the favorite food is herring, cod, horse mackerel, as well as squids and even octopuses. The life span of the katran is quite long - 25 years. A prickly shark hunts in small schools, following the accumulations of fish.
Katran shark - viviparous fish, females produce about 14 sharks, which appear fully formed and ready for independent existence. Their mass is 40-50 grams. By one year, sharks grow to 35 centimeters. Full puberty is achieved by 13-17 years.
The Katran shark often creates trouble for fishermen, eating their catch and destroying gear, but does not attack vacationers. Sea dog is a valuable commercial fish and healthy food. Fish meat, liver and cartilage contain a large amount of valuable substances for the body that contribute to its recovery. Its meat, which has a pleasant taste and delicate texture, contains about 12% fat. Of particular value is the liver of fish, from which medical fat is produced, which has vitamins A and D.