 The range of the puffadder shyshark is limited to the continental shelf along the coast of South Africa, from Langebaan Lagoon in Western Cape Province to the western shore of Algoa Bay. Previous records of it being found as far north as Durban are now thought to be misidentifications of other species. This bottom-dwelling shark is most common over sandy or rocky bottoms. It is found in progressively deeper water towards the northeastern portion of its range, from 0 – 15 m (0 – 49 ft) off Cape Town to 40 – 130 m (130 – 430 ft) off KwaZulu-Natal; this distribution pattern may reflect this shark's preference for cooler waters.
