Head to head
Kitefin Shark vs Dwarf Lanternshark
Kitefin Shark
VS Dwarf Lanternshark
Both species glow, but they represent opposite ends of the size spectrum among light-producing sharks.
| Kitefin Shark | Dwarf Lanternshark | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Dalatias licha | Etmopterus perryi |
| Size record | Largest known luminous vertebrate | Smallest known shark species |
| Bioluminescence | Covers much of its underside | Concentrated along its belly |
| Known range | Multiple ocean basins worldwide | A small area off Colombia and Venezuela |
| Feeding technique | Suction plus a bite-and-tear technique | Captures small fish, squid, and shrimp-like crustaceans |
| Typical depth | 200 to over 1,800 metres | Along the deep continental slope |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable | Vulnerable |
| Habitat | Ocean | Ocean |
Kitefin Shark vs Dwarf Lanternshark: common questions
Which one is bigger, the kitefin shark or the dwarf lanternshark?
The kitefin shark is far bigger, believed to be the largest known luminous vertebrate of any kind, while the dwarf lanternshark is the smallest known shark species, small enough to fit in the palm of a human hand.
Why do both species glow?
Both use bioluminescent photophores concentrated on their underside for counter-illumination, helping mask their silhouette from predators looking upward from below in the dim light of their deep-water habitats.
Which one has the more limited known range?
The dwarf lanternshark has the far more limited range, known only from a small area off Colombia and Venezuela, while the kitefin shark is recorded across multiple ocean basins worldwide.