Smooth hound shark washes up on Sussex beach

The smooth hound, a type of shallow water shark, was found dead on Rottingdean beach.

Typically feeding on crustaceans and shellfish in the sand and shingle on the seabed, smooth hounds spend much of their time near the coastline so are vulnerable to being washed up in windier weather.

It comes after another smooth hound was found washed up on Lancing beach late last month.

A number of smooth hound sharks have washed up along the coast recently (Image: Submitted)

Charlotte Owen, conservation officer at Sussex Wildlife Trust, said it is not unusual for the species to wash up along the coast and that it gave an insight into the area’s marine wildlife.

“This is most likely a common smooth hound, though there are several small shark species that can look very similar,” she said.

“Smooth hounds are common off the Sussex coast and they do wash up on beaches fairly frequently, so this isn’t a particularly unusual sight. While it’s a shame to see them washed up dead, it does provide a fascinating look at the amazing marine wildlife that’s usually hidden under the waves.”