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Sawtooth Shark

The Sawtooth Shark, or North-American Beaver Shark, is part of a superorder of fish called the Selachimorpha. A breed of Freshwater Lake Sharks, the Sawtooth Shark primarily appears in many North-American Lakes and ponds. Traditionally known to be nocturnal, the Sawtooth Shark can be seen at dusk, usually looking for sustenance.

Sawtooth Sharks make their homes primarily underwater, and mostly use fallen trees to protect themselves against predators. They, like other Chondrichthyes, have malleable Cartilage instead of bone.

Similar to the North-American Beaver, Sawtooth Sharks have fur around their face, brown in color. They also have webbed feet, razor-sharp front teeth, and tails reminiscent of beavers. Like the Freshwater Lake Shark, Sawtooth Sharks have fins, and 3 layers of inner teeth.

Adult Sawtooth Sharks have been known to grow up to 3 feet long. Sawtooth Sharks cannot breathe underwater, but can hold their breath for hours at a time.

Due to their very reflective skin, the Sawtooth Shark is very difficult to spot in daylight underwater. Sawtooth Sharks primarily feast on small fish, frogs, plants, moss, and aquatic insects, making them omnivores. They, however have been known to attack humans if provoked or threatened.

Because the Sawtooth Shark cannot breathe underwater, nor lay eggs, it is considered a mammal.

The population of Sawtooth Sharks was once more than 2 million, but as of 2012, has declined to a mere 30,000. This population decline is the result of extensive hunting for “elusive” species in North America. The North-American Sawtooth Shark has been ranked #13 on the Semi-Aquatic Mammals Endangered Species List since 2008, and the population continues to drop.