Last week, a small shark was trapped in a pool for several hours when the tide went out on a beach in Swansea, Wales. The shark, which managed to swim back out to sea when the tide came in, was a smooth-hound, also known as a smooth dogfish. They are often found along the south and west coasts of the UK, where they swim in shallow water. In recent years, however, numbers have increased around Cumbria, Yorkshire and the north-east of England.
● LIFESPAN IN THE WILD: Males live up to 10 years, and females live up to 16 years.
● HABITAT: Shallow waters off sandy beaches around the UK, Europe and North Africa.
● DIET: Crabs, lobsters, molluscs, prawns and shellfish.
● FUN FACT: Dogfish are so called because…