Diagnosis

A fairly large, distinctive shark with no anal fin; two spineless dorsal fins, both small and equi-sized, closely-spaced towards the tail and positioned above the pelvic fins.  Numerous large thorn-like denticles are scattered on the body, readily identifying this species and inspiring its common-name. Some of these denticles are grouped into small clusters that may exceed 25 mm across. Snout fairly short; mouth broadly rounded with short labial furrows; upper and lower-jaw teeth undifferentiated; strongly oblique primary cusp with up to three (in adults) smaller side cusps. Spiracles small and indistinct. Pectoral fins rather short and paddle-like. No subterminal notch in the caudal fin. Colour grey or brown dorsally, usually with a pinkish or purplish hue; lighter ventrally; dark spots sometimes on dorsum and flanks; denticles noticeably lighter.

Size

To about 300 cm; females mature at 213 cm and adults at 150 to 174 cm. Size at birth ca. 29 to 90 cm.

Status and Distribution

N.E. Atlantic: Cosmopolitan but usually rare. Landings data from some regions (e.g., Bay of Biscay) suggests that abundance is decreasing at least locally and very probably pan-regionally in coastal areas. Offshore range over continental shelves and slopes is cosmopolitan. Coastal occurrences extend from Scandinavia (Norwegian coast) and Denmark, encompassing the entire North Sea (where captures are, however, exceptional); U.K. and Irish coasts although more frequent off South-West England; English Channel (but very scarce in eastern part), French Coasts south to Iberian Peninsula; Portugal, Spain, entire N.W. African coast south to at least Senegal; isolated records from Ivory Coast; insular occurrences at all of the Canary Islands and Madeira.
Mediterranean Sea: Wide-ranging although generally infrequent within the Eastern basin and declining in the Adriatic (where it is essentially restricted to the eastern coast). Nowhere abundant in the region; specimens taken most regularly on deepwater slopes along the Cote d'Azur, Riviera coasts and off Liguria; occasionally in the Tyrrhenian Sea and at isolated islands such as Ponza or Liparian group; and Sicilian Channel, including on the slopes to the south of Malta.

Biology

A poorly-known, apparently sluggish species, primarily a bottom-dweller of deepwater shelf and slope zones (50 to 900 m), although also making incursions into considerably shallower continental or insular coastal locales (e.g., the Cornish coast at Mounts Bay, Eddystone Rock, etc.). Preys upon bony fishes including ling, small sharks (such as piked dogfish Squalus acanthias) and crabs. The large, exapansive buccal cavity of these sharks suggest that they may suction-feed on benthic organisms. Additionaly, the rearward-orientated "burst-thrust" fin and body configuration of this species is notably similar to that found in the freshwater Esocids such as Europe's northern pike (Esox lucius) and North America's muskellunge (Esox masquinongy), both cryptic, sedentary predators whose bodies allow for sudden, short-distance acceleration to snatch prey passing within range - typically striking at no more than a body-length - of within the hunter's lurking-place. Similar predatory tactics may be employed at times by the bramble shark, whose extraordinary skin texture may function as additional camouflage whilst lurking amongst the encrusted rocks and dominant algae of shallower coastal habitats. Reproduction is ovoviviparous; 15 - 24 young per litter. Females mature at 213cm; males at ca. 150cm.