It is found in the tropical and subtropical eastern Pacific Ocean from between central California to southern Mexico, with an additional population off the coast of Chile.

[1] As a defense, the swell shark is able to expand to approximately double its regular size by swallowing water.

[2] The swell shark is found in the eastern Pacific Ocean, from the central California coast to southern Mexico.

[2][1] Swell sharks are often found over algae-covered rocky bottoms where it hides in crevices during the day.

[2] Swell sharks are nocturnal and sleep in rock crevices during the day, where their appearance allows them to be camouflaged.

When the shark feels threatened, it will bend its body into a U–shape, grab its tail fin with its mouth, and suck in water.

Researchers presented species-specific emission patterns, indicating that biofluorescence potentially functions in intraspecific communication and assists camouflage.

There are no fishery operations that target swell sharks; however, they are occasionally caught as bycatch in lobster and crab traps, gillnets, and trawls.

[2] Swell sharks are not typically consumed by humans due to the poor quality of meat.

[1][2][5] Swell sharks are common in public aquariums, in part due to their longevity in captivity.