Sixgill shark

The sixgill sharks, Hexanchus, are a genus of deepwater sharks in the family Hexanchidae. These sharks are characterized by broad pointed heads, six pairs of gill slits, comb-like, yellow lower teeth, and a long tail. It can grow up to 5 m (18 ft) long and weigh over 600 kg (1320 lb). They are abyssal plain scavengers with a keen sense of smell and are among the first to arrive at carrion, together with hagfish and rattails. They show a characteristic rolling motion of the head when feeding. They have been found at depths of up to 2500 ft.

Extant Species

 * Bluntnose Sixgill Shark Hexanchus griseus Bonnaterre, 1788
 * Bigeyed Sixgill Shark, Hexanchus nakamurai Teng, 1962