Gray smooth-hound

The gray smooth-hound (also spelled as smoothhound) (Mustelus californicus) is a houndshark of the family Triakidae. It is spotless and smooth with a narrow head and long blunted snout. This shark is found on continental shelves of the subtropical eastern Pacific. Its range extends from northern California to the Gulf of California (between latitudes 40° N and 23° N), usually residing in waters less than 80 meters (262 ft 6 in) deep. Adults are between 0.5 and 1.6 meters (1 ft 8 in to 5 ft 3 in) long. Furthermore, this shark is viviparous with an egg yolk placenta. Reproduction occurs annually and inland estuaries are common nursery grounds. Although there is little data on the shark’s population trends and catch quantities, the gray smooth-hound is not considered as vulnerable to overfishing. Additionally, there have been three reported sightings of albinism in this species, which is rare for elasmobranchs (rays and sharks).