The swell shark (Cephaloscyllium ventriosum) is a catshark in the family Scyliorhinidae. It is found in the tropical and subtropical eastern Pacific Ocean from between central California to southern Mexico, with an additional population off the coast of Chile. As a defense, the swell shark is able to expand to approximately double its regular size by swallowing water.
Swell sharks are typically around 90 cm in length, with a maximum length of 110 cm. They have flat, broad heads with large gold eyes that have nictitating eyelids. Swell sharks have a yellow-brown coloration, with brown and white spots. The spots cover their underside, but are not present on their fins. Usually the younger sharks are lighter in color than the adults. The gills of a swell shark are usually very small and tight.
Every swell shark has around 55–60 teeth. Teeth typically have three smooth cusps, but can have as many as five cusps. The middle cusp is the longest.
The swell shark is found in the eastern Pacific Ocean, from the central California coast to southern Mexico. There is an additional population off the coast of Chile. It can be found between the depths of 5 m and 457 m, but is most common between 5 m and 37 m.
Swell sharks are often found over algae-covered rocky bottoms where it hides in crevices during the day.
Swell sharks are nocturnal and sleep in rock crevices during the day, where their appearance allows them to be camouflaged. They are very sociable and are commonly seen sleeping next to or on top of other sharks.
Swell sharks hunt at night for bony fish, molluscs, and crustaceans. They will eat prey that is dead or alive. They feed either by sucking prey into their mouth or by waiting motionless on the sea floor with their mouth open, waiting to encounter prey. Swell sharks have also been known to look for food in lobster traps.
The swell shark is oviparous, laying two green or amber flattened eggs at a time. Fertilization occurs internally. The egg cases become attached to kelp or the reef with tendrils. It has been suggested that the length of the tendrils depends on the amount of surf action the region is under. After producing the egg case, no parental care is provided. The egg case which contains the embryo is approximately 2.5 centimeters (0.98 in)–5.1 centimeters (2.0 in)by 7.6 centimeters (3.0 in)–13 centimeters (5.1 in). The embryos will feed solely on yolk before they hatch. The gestation time depends on water temperature but is typically between 9–12 months. Pups have a double row of enlarged dermal denticles to help them exit the eggcase. After hatching, the pup is approximately 15 cm in length and is fully self-sufficient.
There are no fishery operations that target swell sharks, however, they are occasionally caught as bycatch in lobster and crab traps, gillnets, and trawls. Swell sharks are not typically consumed by humans due to the poor quality of meat. Swell sharks are common in public aquariums, in part due to their longevity in captivity. The IUCN has assessed the swell shark as "least concern".
