,
16 tweets,
7 min read
Read on Twitter
NEXT UP: We have a battle that exemplifies the best of March Mammal Madness. A battle of fishes! The small-spotted CAT SHARK vs. the STONECAT. Finally that degree in Marine Biology is paying off #2019MMM
The small-spotted cat shark is a member of a group of small, bottom dwelling sharks (Ironically also called dog fish). This particular species is found in the northeast Atlantic down to Senegal #2019MMM
In contrast the stonecat is a freshwater cat fish found in eastern North America, including the Hudson River, right down the road from me on.ny.gov/2TjApGM #2019MMM
Looking at the tail of the tape, the shark has advantages in weight (2kg vs. 0.5kg) and in length (1m vs 0.3m). However the stonecat is sporting venom glands at the base of its pectoral (arm) fins #2019MMM
Catfish are one of the most successful freshwater lineages with over 3000 species. They're old too dating back to the time of the dinosaurs - most of them have long sensitive barbles which look like cats' whiskers bit.ly/2H2b2CH #2019MMM
Cat sharks on the other hand are less diverse with about 160 species, which is only about 1% of the total numbers of sharks, skates and rays eol.org/pages/1857 #2019MMM
Our battle tonight takes place in the estuaries off of Norway, where stonecat has found its way down the mouth of a large river. While not normally found in Europe, the waters are similar enough that it feels at home #2019MMM
The small-spotted cat shark is nestled between two rocks, where she is waiting for her next meal. #2019MMM
The stonecat, also a bottom dwelling species is working its way along trying to find a new hole. Both species feel more comfortable when not exposed #2019MMM
The stonecat sees two beautiful rocks with a nice little gap between them and tries to nestle in, only to find that the nook is occupied!! #2019MMM
The small-spotted cat shark is NOT about to take this from an interloper, she lashes out stroking at the stonecat. The stonecat in turn whips around and hits with its venomous spine #2019MMM
However because of the brutal mating behaviours of male small-spotted cat sharks, female cat sharks have incredibly thick and rough skin (bit.ly/2C6ImED) #2019MMM 
This thick skin easily deflects the spine of the stonecat and the small-spotted cat shark retaliates with a bite, carving through the smooth stonecat skin (bit.ly/2SKfzLD) #2019MMM
Catfish do actually have microscopic scales embedded in their skin, so from an ichthyological perspective they are technically kosher, but then again I'm not a rabbi so don't listen to me #2019MMM
Being an opportunistic feeder a little bit of catfish is always a welcome addition to the small-spotted cat shark’s menu…. #2019MMM
SMALL-SPOTTED CAT SHARK DEFEATS STONECAT!!! #2019MMM
