Heterodontiformes - bullhead sharks, horn sharks, port jackson sharks

There are 9 species in this order in one family, Heterodontidae. The sharks in this order and family are 2-5 feet long and have big, broad heads; pig-like snouts; five pairs of gill slits; a stiff spine on both of their dorsal fins; and an anal fin. They have cone-shaped teeth in the front of their mouths and fat, grinding molars in the back of their mouths.

They are found in shallow water in the western and eastern Pacific Ocean and the western Indian Ocean. They eat small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. Species include: the crested bullhead shark, the horn shark, the Japanese bullhead shark, the Mexican hornshark, the Galapagos bullhead shark, the zebra bullhead shark, and the port jackson shark.

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct
Status taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status, or there is no status data for the species.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

Species Around the World
Location Key Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North/Central America South America NH Species Atlantic Ocean Arctic Ocean Indian Ocean Mediterranean/Black Sea Pacific Ocean
California Horn Shark - Heterodontus francisci Crested Port Jackson Shark - Heterodontus galeatus Japanese Bullhead Shark - Heterodontus japonicus Mexican Hornshark - Heterodontus mexicanus Oman Bullhead Shark - Heterodontus omanensis		Port Jackson Shark - Heterodontus portusjacksoni Galapagos Bullhead Shark - Heterodontus quoyi Whitespotted Bullhead Shark - Heterodontus ramalheira Zebra Port Jackson Shark - Heterodontus zebra

Additional Information

Resource Key
Profile Photos Video Audio

California Horn Shark - Heterodontus francisci
The California horn shark is found off the coast of California and Mexico.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

California Horn Shark - Heterodontus francisci
California horn sharks sometimes use their strong pectoral fins to crawl along rocks.
Source: Monterey Bay Aquarium Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Galapagos Bullhead Shark - Heterodontus quoyi
the Galapagos bullhead shark is found off the coast of Ecuador and Peru.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School