Maximum size possibly over 400 cm (females), males reach about 340 cm. Large shark, with a short, broadly rounded snout. Fairly large eyes. Origin of first dorsal fin is usually over or slightly in front of the rear tips of the pectoral fins. Low interdorsal ridge. Display blue to grey upper body, white ventral surface. The tips of most fins are dusky, not black or white. Inconspicuous white band on the flanks.



Commonly found inshore and offshore of warm-temperate and tropical area from the surface to 400 m depth. This species is strongly migratory in temperate and subtropical areas (North Pacific and North Atlantic). As an apex predator positioned at the highest level of the trophic web, the dusky shark is generally less abundant than other sharks that share its range. However, high concentrations of individuals, especially juveniles, can be found at particular locations. Adults are often found following ships far from land, such as in the Agulhas Current. The dusky shark is a generalist that takes a wide variety of prey from all levels of the water column, though it favors hunting near the bottom. A large individual can consume over a tenth of its body weight at a single sitting. Feeds on a variety of reef, bottom and pelagic fishes, as well as angel sharks, saw sharks, spiny dogfishes, cat sharks, smooth-hounds, and other grey sharks (blacktip sharks, spinner sharks).



The dusky shark is viviparous. With a gestation period estimated at up to 22–24 months and a one-year resting period between pregnancies, female dusky sharks bear at most one litter of young every three years. The litter size ranges from 3 to 16, with 6 to 12 being typical, and does not correlate with female size.  Size at birth between 70 and 100 cm. Births may occur over a long time span of several months in pupping areas, and have been reported as occurring from late winter to summer. Males mature at about 280 cm, females mature between 260 cm and 300 cm. Age at maturity about 6 years.

Appearance

Biology

Reproduction