NOVEMBER 25, 2008

Smalltooth Sawfish
Endangered Species Basic Information
Species marked as critica!y endangered Sawfish are classified as a
ray, so that would be their
closest relatives. Sawfish are
found in tropical and sub-
tropical areas around Africa,
Australia, and in the
Caribbean. They frequently
ascend far into rivers.
http://
Frequently found in shallow
upload.wikimedia.org/
wikipedia/commons/5/51/ muddy water, these animals
Georgia_Aquarium_- mate every two years on
average. Also, sawfish are
nocturnal. They feed on
Classification and smaller fish, and their only
Characteristics known predators are larger
sharks. That makes them
The Smalltooth Sawfish for prey. Characteristics common either 2nd or 3rd consumers.
belongs to the phylum Chordata to the phylum Chondrichthyes: Sawfish’s rostrum, or snout,
and the class Chondrichthyes. It is digestive system has a spiral valve, could be considered an
part of a group of fish called red blood cells are produced in the adaptation to catch prey and
elasmobranchs. spleen or in one of their specialized fend off predators. The
Their bodies are made up of organs, their skin is covered in females give live birth.
cartilage, not bone. A very dermal teeth which makes it rough,
distinguishing feature of this they are cold-blooded, and have
species is their long, saw-like nose. gills and fins. The phylum
Its edges have teeth, and the snout Chordata is a large group, but all of
is used to locate, stun, and kill prey. them have a tail, a notochord, and
Their body and head are flat, since pharyngeal slits, or gills.
they spend most of their time
laying on the ocean floor waiting

QUARTA DECIMA ET QUINTA DECIMA EODEM MODO TYPI

The rostrum of the Smalltooth Sawfish is used in This species has become endangered because
some Asian cultures as a ceremonial tool to ward off fisherman treat them as a trophy. Also, because they
demons and disease. Because of their snout, the dont reproduce until about halfway through their life
sawfish is easily tangled in fishing nets and rarely and they only give birth once every two years. Their
survives this experience. Some fisherman consider fins are eaten in some parts of the world as a delicacy.
the sawfish a prize to catch because of the legendary It is illegal to capture sawfish in the U.S, and
fight it puts up. Australia. Sale of the rostrum or fins is also
prohibited.

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