Horn sharks reach an average length of 3.5 feet.

They have small, smooth scales that are gray or brown with dark spots, and two characteristic horn-like ridges above their eyes.

Horn sharks also have large pectoral fins to push themselves along the ocean floor instead of swimming.

The horn shark is a species of bullhead shark located only off the western coast of California. They can be found wherever the warmer water is whether it’s Baja California to the Gulf of California. Their favorite habitats are feeding pits excavated by the bat ray but will seek deeper waters in winter.

Adult horn sharks mainly eat mollusks, urchins, and crustaceans. They hunt mainly using their sense of smell as the receptors on the horn shark’s head aren’t strong. They can grab prey a variety of ways either through suction, levering their body, or extending their jaw. Once food is caught, horn sharks have the highest bite force relative to their size compared to any other shark!

Mating season for horn sharks is between December and January. A few months after mating, females will lay two eggs at a time every two weeks totaling around 24 eggs. The eggs have this odd shape so they easily wedge into crevices. Pups hatch after 6-10 months, living off the yolk from the eggs their first month of life before hunting for their own food.

Horn sharks have home ranges around 11,000 sq. ft. that they stick to faithfully. They spend their days lying motionless in crevices or algae beds, but ready to bolt if disturbed. After dusk, horn sharks roam freely searching for food.