Japanese Bullhead Sharkネコザメ

Heterodontus japonicusLC— Least Concern

The Japanese bullhead shark (Heterodontus japonicus) is a small, nocturnal shark found along the coasts of Japan, Korea, and China, typically in shallow, rocky or kelp-covered waters 6-37 meters deep. It uses blunt, molar-like rear teeth to crush hard-shelled prey such as turban snails, sea urchins, and crustaceans, earning it the Japanese nickname "sazae-wari" (turban-snail cracker). It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Japanese Bullhead Shark (reference photo)
Photo: Jin Kemoole / CC BY 2.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Heterodontiformes / Heterodontidae Source
Distribution
Found in the northwest Pacific from Japan (south of Hokkaido) to the Korean Peninsula and the coast of China to Taiwan, on the continental shelf at depths of 6-37 m. Source

Did You Know?

  • Its blunt, molar-like rear teeth crush hard-shelled prey such as turban snails, earning it the Japanese nickname "sazae-wari" (turban-snail cracker). Source
  • It is oviparous; eggs take about a year to hatch, and newborns measure around 18 cm long. Source

Where to See This Species

5 facilities · 0 individuals

かごしま水族館 (Kagoshima Suizokukan)Kagoshima鹿児島中央駅から市電（2系統）「水族館口」下車、徒歩8分。

かごしま水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

のとじま臨海公園水族館 (Notojimarinkai Kouen Suizokukan)Ishikawa最寄り駅は和倉温泉駅。

のとじま臨海公園水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

下田海中水族館 (Shimodakaichuu Suizokukan)ShizuokaOpened in 1967

下田海中水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

京都水族館 (Kyouto Suizokukan)KyotoJR「京都」駅中央口から徒歩約15分。

京都水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Toba AquariumMieOpened in 1955

鳥羽水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Latest news

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Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNではLCに分類されています。

Habitat

日本近海から東シナ海の岩礁・砂底。

Threats

  • 沿岸環境の変化
  • 混獲

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

  • 沿岸生態系の保全
  • 水族館での生態展示

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

What does the Japanese bullhead shark eat?
It preys mainly on hard-shelled animals such as turban snails, sea urchins, and crustaceans, crushing them with its flattened, molar-like rear teeth. Source
Is the Japanese bullhead shark dangerous to humans?
No, it is a harmless, slow-moving bottom-dweller that divers can safely approach and even hand-catch. Source
How long do its eggs take to hatch?
About a year; the newly hatched young measure roughly 18 cm long. Source

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org