At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Fish
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The smalltooth sawfish is a large ray with a long, tooth-studded snout, related to the largetooth sawfish. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.
Its saw is lined with sensory organs but also makes it highly prone to entanglement.
Range & habitat
Warm coastal and estuarine waters, much reduced from a once-wide range.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Entanglement in fishing nets (its saw snags easily)
- Habitat loss
- Past targeted fishing
Why it matters
Vanished from much of its former range, the smalltooth sawfish is among the most threatened of all sharks and rays and a priority for coastal and estuary conservation.
Sources
Sources for Smalltooth Sawfish
- IUCN Red List — look up Smalltooth Sawfish (authoritative status)
- NOAA Fisheries
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sawfish's saw used for?
The toothed snout is packed with sensory organs to detect prey and is used to slash and pin fish; unfortunately it also tangles easily in fishing nets.
Why is the smalltooth sawfish Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite entanglement in fishing gear, habitat loss, and past targeted fishing, which erased it from much of its range. See the IUCN Red List.
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