Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Order
- Orectolobiformes
- Family
- Lamnidae
- Genus
- Lamna
- Species
- ditropis
Habitat
Salmon sharks primarily inhabit cold, temperate to subarctic waters of the North Pacific Ocean, from the surface to depths of about 200 meters. They prefer offshore pelagic environments but migrate to coastal areas following prey like salmon. Geographic preferences include regions near Alaska, British Columbia, and Japan.
Diet
Salmon sharks mainly feed on fish such as salmon, herring, and mackerel, as well as squid and occasionally smaller sharks or marine mammals. They are active predators that use their speed to chase schools of fish, often feeding during migrations or when prey is abundant. Feeding behavior includes both solitary hunting and loose aggregations around food sources.
Behavior
Salmon sharks are highly migratory, traveling long distances to follow seasonal prey like salmon runs, and they are often solitary but can form loose groups around food. They exhibit endothermy, allowing them to maintain a warm body temperature for efficient hunting in cold waters, and they are known for burst speeds up to 80 km/h. Territorial behavior is minimal, with individuals covering vast oceanic ranges.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.