---
title: "Pyjama Shark"
description: "Poroderma africanum — Fish. The pyjama shark or striped catshark (Poroderma africanum) is a species of catshark, and part of the family Scyliorhinidae, endemic to the coastal waters of South Africa."
canonical: https://animalchecklist.com/animal/pyjama-shark
last_updated: 2026-09-20
---

# Pyjama Shark

> Poroderma africanum — Fish. The pyjama shark or striped catshark (Poroderma africanum) is a species of catshark, and part of the family Scyliorhinidae, endemic to the coastal waters of South Africa.

- Scientific name: *Poroderma africanum*
- Category: `fish` (Fish)
- Habitats: `sea` (Sea & coast)
- iNaturalist observations: 545
- Wikidata: [Q134587](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q134587)
- iNaturalist taxon: [110143](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/110143)

## Names

- en: Pyjama Shark
- de: Pyjamahai
- es: Tiburón pijama
- nl: Gestreepte kathaai

## Countries with the most observations

ZA (472)

## Summary

The pyjama shark or striped catshark (Poroderma africanum) is a species of catshark, and part of the family Scyliorhinidae, endemic to the coastal waters of South Africa. This abundant, bottom-dwelling species can be found from the intertidal zone to a depth of around 100 m (330 ft), particularly over rocky reefs and kelp beds. With a series of thick, parallel, dark stripes running along its stout body, the pyjama shark has an unmistakable appearance. It is additionally characterized by a short head and snout with a pair of slender barbels that do not reach the mouth, and two dorsal fins that are placed far back on…

Text: Wikipedia (en), CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyjama_shark

## Photo

![Pyjama Shark](https://animalchecklist.com/img/animals/pyjama-shark/medium.jpg)

Photo: Ludwig Muller · CC0 · inaturalist — https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/56496502

## Machine access

`GET https://animalchecklist.com/api/v1/animals/pyjama-shark?lang=en` — see [openapi.json](https://animalchecklist.com/openapi.json).