Meet The World's Only Plant Eating Shark

SINCE 2014, January has also been referred to as Veganuary. The idea is to positively promote and educate about veganism by encouraging people to follow a plant based lifestyle for a whole month.

This got us thinking…. sharks are often referred to as ‘man eaters’ because of their carnivorous diets, but of the 400 plus known species of sharks, are any living the plant based life…. and it turns out there is!

Is the Bonnethead shark the world’s only omnivorous shark?

Plant Eater

The bonnethead shark (or shovelhead) is a small member of the hammerhead shark family and is the only shark species known to be omnivorous. Bonnetheads are the second smallest shark in the hammerhead family, averaging 30 to 48 inches long with a maximum reported total length of 59 inches. They can weigh up to 24 pounds. This species is not threatened.

Feeding primarily on crustaceans, Bonnetheads also eat clams, octopuses and small fish but also supplement their diet with seagrass making them the first known omnivorous shark.

Learn more about Veganuary and Bonnethead sharks

Words by Ross Williams

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