Sharks & Rays TCSD Events TCSD Contacts Board Members
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
JUNE 2014
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TRIATHLON CLUB OF SAN DIEGO
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Weekly Workout Calendar New Members TCSD Conversation
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USAT NCC Wrap Up TCSD on the Podium Coach’s Corner
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TriNews Marine Room
ne of the delightful rewards of open gills, water swimming and he in La Jolla is continues until the opportunity the female is to observe the receptive or sharks and rays she bites or by the Marine snaps at her Room. In California, there are suitor to disat least 40 species of sharks courage him and some 22 species of rays. By Barbara Javor (note: you may not Between the Marine Room and want to try this at home). Some species lay eggs La Jolla Shores beach, when the water is clear, enclosed in tough, protective cases, while other you’re bound to see two species of sharks (leopspecies, including the five listed here, brood the ard sharks and gray smoothhounds) and three species of rays (shovelnose guitarfish, bat rays, embryos and give birth to a litter of pups that are smaller versions of adults. Look for baby bat and round rays) in the warmer months. Sharks and rays belong to the class of carti- rays among the adults—they’re cute. laginous fish. They have no true bones although Leopard Sharks: The unique coloration of their cartilage vertebrae are partially calcified, dark spots makes this shark easy to identify. and no true scales although their skin is protected by small, dermal denticles. LEOPARD SHARK Sharks are carnivorous predators, but not all species have sharp teeth—some have rounded teeth or crushing plates instead. heavy black bars and spots on body The species that forage near the Marine Room are all bottom feeders, typically consuming crustaceans, worms, and small fish, and Males grow up to 1.5 meters, and females grow have no interest in humans as long as you don’t up to 1.8m. They can live for 20 years or longer. Litters range from 7-36 young, and pups are step on them. Sharks aggregate for feeding and mating. about 20cm or 8 inches long at birth. By fitting Mating begins with the courting male repeatedly individually-coded, acoustic transmitters on 33 biting the female around the fins, abdomen, and local leopard sharks and monitoring their move-
Sharks
& Rays
JUNE CLUB MEETING TBD Check the club’s website or yahoo group forum for the latest information.
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