Echinorhinidae - bramble sharks

There are two species of shark in this family. They are found in temperate and tropical waters around the world, usually in deep water. They have stout, cylindrical bodies; broad, flat heads; two spineless dorsal fins set towards the back of their bodies; no anal fins; and well-developed caudal fins. They use their large mouths to suck in prey like fish, squid, and crustaceans.

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered
Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild Extinct
Status taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status, or there is no status data for the species.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

New Hampshire Species		North/Central American Species
		Bramble Shark - Echinorhinus brucus Prickly Shark - Echinorhinus cookie

Species Around the World
Location Key Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North/Central America South America NH Species Atlantic Ocean Arctic Ocean Indian Ocean Mediterranean/Black Sea Pacific Ocean
Bramble Shark - Echinorhinus brucus Prickly Shark - Echinorhinus cookie

Additional Information

Resource Key
Profile Photos Video Audio

Bramble Shark - Echinorhinus brucus
In the United States the bramble shark is found off of Cape Cod, off the Virginia coast, and the in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Source: Florida Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Prickly Shark - Echinorhinus cookie
The pricky shark is also known as Cooks Bramble Shark.
Source: Australian Museum Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School