Crested Horn Shark
(Heterodontus galeatus)
Crested Hornshark
Images taken at Shelly Beach, Kurnell and Freshwater, NSW, Australia
The Crested Hornshark is similar in appearance the Port Jackson shark, but has a blunt head with a prominent ridge above both eyes. It has two tall dorsal fins that are each preceded by a stout spine. They are grey to brown in colour with large dark blotches. They are endemic to Australia, occurring from southern Queensland to southern New South Wales.
Each year they come into Shelly Beach, Manly, NSW, Australia in the winter months to mate and give birth, however, they can be seen year round but are less common during warmer months.
They are generally nocturnal, feeding sea urchins, crabs, molluscs and small fishes, using their large rear molars to crush their prey. They are known to eat the eggs of Port Jackson sharks.
