Nursehound

The nursehound (Scyliorhinus stellaris), also known as the large-spotted dogfish, greater spotted dogfish, or bull huss, is a species of catshark in the family Scyliorhinidae, found in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. It lives in rocky or algae-covered areas at moderate depths and can reach lengths of up to 1.6 metres, with a sturdy build, a broad head, and two rear-positioned dorsal fins. It is distinguished from its relative the small-spotted catshark by its larger spots and distinctive nasal flaps. Nursehounds are mainly active at night, sheltering in crevices during the day and hunting bottom-dwelling prey such as fish, smaller sharks, crustaceans, and mollusks. They reproduce by laying thick-shelled egg cases attached to seaweed through spring and early fall, which take seven to twelve months to develop. The species has commercial value in European markets and its skin was historically used as an industrial abrasive; its conservation status reflects vulnerability from population declines in the Mediterranean due to overharvesting.