18 H aw aiian F ish es 



THE THRESHER SHARK OR FOX SHARK FAMILY 



4 Family Alopiidae (Vulpecnlidae) 

 This family contains a single species which is known as the thresher 

 shark. It is widely distributed and is often found in Hawaiian waters. 



Thresher Shark 

 Also known as the Whip-Tailed Shark, Thrasher Shark, 

 Swivel-Tail Shark, or Swingletail Shark 

 4-1 Alopias vulpinus (Bonnaterre) 

 Of all of the sharks in the ocean the thresher shark can never be mis- 

 taken because it possesses a tail as long as its body. The body of this 

 shark is slate blue in color above, usually a dirty white color below, and 

 is marked with faint, bluish spots. The surface of the body is roughened 

 and the snout is short and blunt. It is a large shark and will reach a 

 length of twelve, fifteen, or even twenty feet and will weigh nearly one 

 thousand pounds. 



The thresher shark is a speedy surface swimmer and spends its time 

 cruising about feeding on small fishes including herring, shad, pilchards, 

 mackerels, and other fishes. It is reported that the thresher swims around 

 the outside of a school of fishes using its tail to pound the water and to- 

 round up and to stun or kill the smaller fishes. The thresher is reported 

 to feed on the outer edge of the school as it swims about. It continues to 

 feed in this manner until the school scatters or is consumed or until the 

 appetite of the shark is satisfied. 



This fish, in spite of the above story, is not especially ferocious and 

 does not harm man. 



Thresher sharks have no economic importance and are not sought 

 after commercially. 



