Pygmy shark
The second-smallest shark species in the world
The pygmy shark is a tiny squaliform shark found in deep waters. It is the only member of its genus and ranks as the second-smallest shark globally. This species reproduces by giving birth to live young and faces no major threats in New Zealand waters.
- Second-smallest shark species after the dwarf lanternshark
- Only member of the genus Euprotomicrus
- Females reach up to 25 cm in length
- Produces about eight young in each litter
What it is
The pygmy shark is a minute member of the order Squaliformes. It belongs to the family Dalatiidae and stands alone as the sole species in the genus Euprotomicrus. Only the dwarf lanternshark is smaller among all known shark species. Adult females grow to a maximum length of roughly 25 centimetres. Males are slightly smaller, reaching about 22 centimetres. This compact size distinguishes it from most other sharks.
Breeding and life cycle
This species reproduces through ovoviviparity. In this process, eggs develop and hatch inside the mother before she gives birth to live young. Each litter typically consists of approximately eight pups. This reproductive strategy allows the young to be more developed at birth compared to egg-laying species.
Status and threats
In June 2018, the New Zealand Department of Conservation assessed this shark. They classified it as Not Threatened under their national system. The status included the qualifier Secure Overseas. This indicates that the population is stable and not currently at risk of extinction in those waters.
Questions people ask about Pygmy shark
How big does a pygmy shark get?
Adult females reach a maximum length of about 25 centimetres. Males are slightly smaller, growing to approximately 22 centimetres. This makes it the second-smallest shark species in the world.
How do pygmy sharks reproduce?
They are ovoviviparous, meaning eggs hatch inside the mother. She then gives birth to live young. Each litter usually contains around eight pups.
Is the pygmy shark endangered?
In New Zealand, it is classified as Not Threatened with a Secure Overseas qualifier. This assessment was made by the Department of Conservation in June 2018.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Pygmy shark", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
Like Pygmy shark
All sharks
WorldCookiecutter shark
A small deep-sea shark that bites round plugs from larger animals.Shark · Open ocean · 1824
🇯🇵 Japan and 3 moreFrilled shark
An ancient, eel-like deep-sea shark with six pairs of gill slits and needle teeth.Shark · Open ocean · 1884
WorldGoblin shark
Rare deep-sea shark with protrusible jaws and pink skinShark · Open ocean · 1898
🇦🇺 AustraliaLongnose sawshark
A slender Australian shark with a long, toothed snout.Shark · Coasts and shelves
