Creature Feature: Leopard Shark

Swimming with Leopard Sharks in San Diego

If I was going to share my personal space with a shark, I’d probably pick this month’s creature feature: the Leopard Shark (Triakis semifasciata). In late summer, San Diego’s shallow coastal waters become a bustling breeding ground for hundreds of leopard sharks—especially near La Jolla. Thankfully for locals and tourists alike, these sharks are safe, graceful, and a joy to swim with.

Are Leopard Sharks Dangerous?

Not at all. Being in the middle of the local food chain, leopard sharks don’t have big sharp teeth or aggressive demeanors. Instead, they patrol kelp forests and sandy flats, vacuuming up clams, worms, and crabs from the seafloor.

Yes, they have tiny teeth. No, nobody has ever been bitten. Not only are leopard sharks wary of people, but their mouths simply aren’t built for “biting.” They are perfectly designed for bottom feeding though.

Unique Adaptations of Leopard Sharks

👄 Spiracles for breathing in sandy waters

Behind a leopard shark’s eyes are special breathing holes called spiracles. These allow the shark to pull in water for oxygen without sucking up sand. (Most other sharks are just mouth-breathers!)

👃 Extra-long nostril flaps for hunting

Those long, whisker-like nostril flaps are extremely sensitive to touch. They help leopard sharks feel for buried prey on the seafloor. Since their eyesight isn’t great, they rely heavily on smell, touch, and even electrical fields to find food.

🩸 Thick blood packed with red blood cells

Leopard sharks often feed in shallow bays, estuaries, and sloughs — waters that can sometimes have dangerously low oxygen levels. To cope, they’ve evolved to have TONS more red blood cells than any of their close relatives. Similar to high-altitude athletes, leopard sharks' thick blood helps them process oxygen faster and more efficiently when their air is "thin."

🐆 Spotted camouflage

And of course, those gorgeous leopard-like spots. For pups, they provide cover in dappled sunlight. For adults, they help with camouflage while hunting crabs and fish. The sharks' patterns are unique to each individual, like a fingerprint.

Where to See Leopard Sharks in San Diego

If you haven’t seen these graceful animals yet, summer is the perfect time. Grab a snorkel and head to La Jolla Shores, where they gather in large numbers when the water warms up.

Not a snorkeler? You can still catch a close-up view at the Birch Aquarium’s Sharks and Rays exhibit—no wetsuit required.