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Description

The name "Cutter Shark" may give readers a clue to what this species is related to, and if that is not enough, I will mention that they are an amphibious species of shark with a love of chomping plants. Indeed, the Cutter Shark is related to the Logger Sharks, and they are close family members! Gnawing through tough vegetation is a shared love between these two, and they too use it for constructing dens and other structures. If they are indeed so similar, then how does one tell them apart? It's easy! If you look to their faces, you will see that Cutter Sharks have a longer snout than the Loggers, who have a stubbier head. Also note that the dorsal fins are more prominent on the Cutter, with the serration being more extreme. Going towards the tail, notice the length of their caudal fin! Cutters have longer thinner lobes on their fins, while the Logger is shorter and chunkier. If the Cutter is out harvesting, you will see that they use their jaws instead of their chin teeth to take down plants, so that is a good clue! And lastly, you can also look at their coloration, as the Cutters are green instead of brown! Actually, I probably should have started with that one.

Another good identifier is looking at the ecosystem around you. Loggers go wherever there is woody vegetation to cut down, but Cutters have a more specific taste. This species is only found around bamboo groves, as they primarily target this plant for harvest. Since bamboo is much thinner than trees, the Cutter doesn't need a thick saw of teeth. Instead, their jaws have changed into a pair of toothy shears, which can extend when in use. At rest, you wouldn't think much of their weaponry, but when they open their mouths, these toothy tools come sliding out! Sharp as any blade, these sturdy teeth powered by powerful jaw muscles allow the Cutter to effortlessly snip through bamboo stalks. With a few bites, they can reduce a towering pole of bamboo into manageable pieces, which they then carry back home. The bamboo will serve as their primary construction material, used in their dens and also in makeshift dams and walls. Cutter Sharks also go after other plant material, which is often used as filler or insulation for the bamboo skeletal work. Just like Loggers, this species lives in ponds and lakes, staking these places out as territory for their family. They mark their land by using the rough patches of their skin to rub up against vegetation, which also places their special scent. Another sign of their presence is the straight gashes found in thicker stalks or trees, which is caused by Cutters working with their teeth.

Like the Loggers, Cutters are omnivores, dining on everything that is available to them in their homes. Vegetation on the land and in the water is fair game. Often the leaves of the bamboo shoot are eaten after it has been chopped down, and the chunks caught in the mouth during cutting are also accepted as food. When it comes to meat, they will go after small critters, but Cutters add more fish to their diet than the Loggers. Their thin shearing jaws are good for slicing through the water, and can easily snip a fish in half! They help fill this staple of their diet by building traps and dead ends with their harvested bamboo, places where they can chase and corner fish. They can also use their own dens as a means of gathering fish, as the mass of downed vegetation often attracts squatters. Amongst the jumbles of stalks and shoots that sit underwater, fish may hide within for protection. The family of Cutters know this, and will use team effort to score a meal. One member will "attack" this cluster, scaring the hiding fish and flushing them right out into the waiting jaws of their family. Once the meat is sliced up, they will carry their haul back to the den so they may dine in peace. These sharp teeth are also why it is important that one never tangles with a Cutter Shark. Threaten one and then count to three, because that is how many fingers you will probably have left on your hand.

While I find them endlessly fascinating, not everyone is a fan of Cutter Sharks. They suffer the same problems as the Loggers, as their construction can block up water sources and clog up waterways. Their love of bamboo can have them going after bamboo farms for material, snipping through someone's precious crops. Their taste of fish can also be a problem, as owners of koi ponds have found Cutter Sharks raiding their pools for an easy meal. Normal fences can't really keep them out, as those teeth can slice through a whole lot. This is a part of the reason why folk in these regions build a base of stone before arranging bamboo fencing, creating a short wall of rock that the Cutter can't bite through. Their short size prevents them from reaching the bamboo part and they can't get a good hold to start cutting. So these types of fencing are often used to keep them out of where they don't belong, which cuts down on negative interactions between man and fish. Thankfully, Cutter Sharks are not wholly reviled. Some towns seem to be fond of them, and work their kind of architecture into their own. During my travels, I have seen some folk even build dens for the Cutters in their ponds. These man made nests are often sturdier and provide even more protection. I think it is delightful! Talking with the townfolk, I found that this construction isn't entirely selfless. Providing lodging and materials for the Cutters means they are less likely to go out to steal it from someone else. So this kind gesture also helps out bamboo farmers, which I think is a fine deal! It also provides a wonderful spot for relaxation, as you sit by the waterside and watch the little Cutters go to work!

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

-----------------------------------------------------------------

In need of cute stuff right now, so here is another little beaver shark. This one loves bamboo! Watch your fingers though!

Description

The name "Cutter Shark" may give readers a clue to what this species is related to, and if that is not enough, I will mention that they are an amphibious species of shark with a love of chomping plants. Indeed, the Cutter Shark is related to the Logger Sharks, and they are close family members! Gnawing through tough vegetation is a shared love between these two, and they too use it for constructing dens and other structures. If they are indeed so similar, then how does one tell them apart? It's easy! If you look to their faces, you will see that Cutter Sharks have a longer snout than the Loggers, who have a stubbier head. Also note that the dorsal fins are more prominent on the Cutter, with the serration being more extreme. Going towards the tail, notice the length of their caudal fin! Cutters have longer thinner lobes on their fins, while the Logger is shorter and chunkier. If the Cutter is out harvesting, you will see that they use their jaws instead of their chin teeth to take down plants, so that is a good clue! And lastly, you can also look at their coloration, as the Cutters are green instead of brown! Actually, I probably should have started with that one.

Another good identifier is looking at the ecosystem around you. Loggers go wherever there is woody vegetation to cut down, but Cutters have a more specific taste. This species is only found around bamboo groves, as they primarily target this plant for harvest. Since bamboo is much thinner than trees, the Cutter doesn't need a thick saw of teeth. Instead, their jaws have changed into a pair of toothy shears, which can extend when in use. At rest, you wouldn't think much of their weaponry, but when they open their mouths, these toothy tools come sliding out! Sharp as any blade, these sturdy teeth powered by powerful jaw muscles allow the Cutter to effortlessly snip through bamboo stalks. With a few bites, they can reduce a towering pole of bamboo into manageable pieces, which they then carry back home. The bamboo will serve as their primary construction material, used in their dens and also in makeshift dams and walls. Cutter Sharks also go after other plant material, which is often used as filler or insulation for the bamboo skeletal work. Just like Loggers, this species lives in ponds and lakes, staking these places out as territory for their family. They mark their land by using the rough patches of their skin to rub up against vegetation, which also places their special scent. Another sign of their presence is the straight gashes found in thicker stalks or trees, which is caused by Cutters working with their teeth.

Like the Loggers, Cutters are omnivores, dining on everything that is available to them in their homes. Vegetation on the land and in the water is fair game. Often the leaves of the bamboo shoot are eaten after it has been chopped down, and the chunks caught in the mouth during cutting are also accepted as food. When it comes to meat, they will go after small critters, but Cutters add more fish to their diet than the Loggers. Their thin shearing jaws are good for slicing through the water, and can easily snip a fish in half! They help fill this staple of their diet by building traps and dead ends with their harvested bamboo, places where they can chase and corner fish. They can also use their own dens as a means of gathering fish, as the mass of downed vegetation often attracts squatters. Amongst the jumbles of stalks and shoots that sit underwater, fish may hide within for protection. The family of Cutters know this, and will use team effort to score a meal. One member will "attack" this cluster, scaring the hiding fish and flushing them right out into the waiting jaws of their family. Once the meat is sliced up, they will carry their haul back to the den so they may dine in peace. These sharp teeth are also why it is important that one never tangles with a Cutter Shark. Threaten one and then count to three, because that is how many fingers you will probably have left on your hand.

While I find them endlessly fascinating, not everyone is a fan of Cutter Sharks. They suffer the same problems as the Loggers, as their construction can block up water sources and clog up waterways. Their love of bamboo can have them going after bamboo farms for material, snipping through someone's precious crops. Their taste of fish can also be a problem, as owners of koi ponds have found Cutter Sharks raiding their pools for an easy meal. Normal fences can't really keep them out, as those teeth can slice through a whole lot. This is a part of the reason why folk in these regions build a base of stone before arranging bamboo fencing, creating a short wall of rock that the Cutter can't bite through. Their short size prevents them from reaching the bamboo part and they can't get a good hold to start cutting. So these types of fencing are often used to keep them out of where they don't belong, which cuts down on negative interactions between man and fish. Thankfully, Cutter Sharks are not wholly reviled. Some towns seem to be fond of them, and work their kind of architecture into their own. During my travels, I have seen some folk even build dens for the Cutters in their ponds. These man made nests are often sturdier and provide even more protection. I think it is delightful! Talking with the townfolk, I found that this construction isn't entirely selfless. Providing lodging and materials for the Cutters means they are less likely to go out to steal it from someone else. So this kind gesture also helps out bamboo farmers, which I think is a fine deal! It also provides a wonderful spot for relaxation, as you sit by the waterside and watch the little Cutters go to work!

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

-----------------------------------------------------------------

In need of cute stuff right now, so here is another little beaver shark. This one loves bamboo! Watch your fingers though!