Photo by Daniel Gotshall

Swell sharks are a bottom dwelling species reaching 1m (3.5ft) in length. This species though usually subtidal, has been observed stranded on mudflats during outgoing tides. During the daytime, these sharks are often found with their head tucked in a crack or crevice of a rocky reef with their tail in plain sight. Young swell sharks spend about 8-10 months developing in egg cases called a Mermaid’s or Neptune’s Purse.

Swell Shark
(Cephaloscyllium ventriosum)

	Monterey Bay to Southern Mexico and off of Chile
	Bottom dwellers; retreat to caves, crevices, rocks and kelp in shallow water during the day. Have been found down to 458m (1,500ft); they are generally caught above 61m (200ft) in sandy bottoms.
	Nocturnal feeders of small fish
The status of this species is representative of the populations within the waters of this Sanctuary only, not global populations.
	When excited or frightened, swell sharks can increase their size by inflating their stomachs with air or water, hence the name "swell" shark.
	- Minnesota Zoo - UCLA Ocean Discovery Center