Rhizoprionodon terraenovae This small, slim shark rarely grows more than 3.5 feet long, and has a distinctly long, pointed snout, and large eyes. It likes to forage in surf zones and estuaries, so it comes into contact with humans frequently. It is not considered dangerous though because most bit
Danger to Humans Shark fishing boat.
Rhizoprionodon porosus This small requiem shark is often confused with the Atlantic sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) so much so that the two were only recently distinguished as different species. These small sharks are considered harmless to humans. Order: Carcharhiniformes Family
Danger to Humans This shark is considered harmless to humans primarily due to its
Mitsukurina owstoni Not a great deal is known about this rare shark. Living in the deep ocean, the goblin shark catches prey by quickly projecting its jaw forward. This feature and its large extended snout prompted its fearsome name. Order – Lamniformes Family – Mitsukurinidae Genus – Mi
Danger to Humans The goblin shark seldom comes in contact with humans; however,
Taeniura meyeni This large stingray can grow to almost 6 feet wide and over 300 pounds. The pectoral disc is very round, with black, white and gray splotches across its brown to grey to purplish top, and a white underside. The tapering tail is usually slightly shorter than the body length, and ha
Danger to Humans Although not typically aggressive, this ray has been responsible
Isurus paucus Named for its decidedly long and rounded pectoral fins, little is known about the life and habits of this slender relative of the shortfin mako and white shark. Order – Lamniformes Family – Lamnidae Genus – Isurus Species – paucus Common Names English: longfin mako Af
Danger to Humans According to the International Shark Attack File, there have been
Notorynchus cepedianus These large cowsharks have thick bodies with wide, blunt snouts and a single small dorsal fin set far along their backs. They are silver gray to brown on top, and white underneath, and scattered with white and black spots over their bodies and fins. They have seven gill sli
Danger to Humans The sevengill shark is aggressive when provoked and is considered
Urobatis halleri These smaller stingrays have an almost circular pectoral disc, with a slightly rounded point at the snout, and a short tail that lacks dorsal fins but does have a small caudal (tail) fin, which is unusual for rays. It also has a venomous spine halfway down its tail, so caution sh
Danger to Humans Beach near Point Conception, California. Photo courtesy U.S.
Alopias superciliosus The bigeye thresher has the long tail of most thresher sharks (nearly half its body length is the upper caudal lobe or top half of the tail), but this one gets its name from its large eyes, adapted for seeing in low light. It practices diel vertical migration, meaning it
Danger to Humans According to the International Shark Attack File, there have been
Sphyrna tudes Named for its unusually small eyes, which evolved due to its preference for muddy coastal waters. Sporting a distinctly flat and arched cephalophoil, or „hammerhead“, this species is can detect prey in the murkiest of waters. Order – Carcharhiniformes Family – Sphyrnidae Genus
Danger to Humans Smalleye hammerheads are categorized as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN
Pristis pristis Although sawfish look somewhat like sharks, they are actually rays. They have an elongated snout or „rostrum“ that is studded with teeth that they swing from side to side to stun schooling fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates upon which they feed. Large tooth sawfishes are most c
Danger to Humans Unprovoked, the sawfish is considered very docile.
