Torpedo torpedo This small torpedo has an oval pectoral disc with a straight edge at the very front, an elongated body with rounded pelvic fins, and two small dorsal fins set back on its stout tail near its triangular caudal (tail) fin. It is white underneath, and reddish brown on top, with five
Danger to Humans The electric shock from the common torpedo is quite strong but
Carcharhinus falciformis Named for the silky look of its skin, the silky shark tends to be long and slender, with slightly shorter dorsal fin (top), and elongated pectoral fins. This is one of the most abundant sharks of the pelagic zone (open water away from shore and surface), and is usually no
Danger to Humans This species is considered potentially dangerous to people primarily
Scyliorhinus canicula This small, nocturnal catshark is a light sandy color with slightly darker saddles and patches, and a lot of dark spots all over it. Slim and long, with a blunt snout and large cat-like eyes, it has small lobed fins set back closer to its asymmetrical caudal fin. It is abund
Danger to Humans The small-spotted catshark is considered harmless to humans due
Carcharhinus acronotus Blacknose sharks get their name from the dark blotch on the tip of their snout which often fades on older adults. This shark has a streamlined shape and matures to just over 4 feet long. It feeds on smaller fish and sometimes octopus, and falls prey to larger sharks. When c
Danger to Humans This shark poses little threat to humans and has never been reported
Rachycentron canadum This torpedo-shaped fish has a long, pointed face and slightly depressed head that swoops back to a row of spines spaced out in front of its dorsal fin. With triangular, curved fins and crescent tail, as well as dark olive-brown on top and silver grey below coloring, it resem
Danger to Humans There are 7-9 dorsal spines, each depressible into a groove, that
Cephaloscyllium ventriosum This sluggish, nocturnal shark prefers the rocky, algae-spotted shallows of the eastern Pacific Ocean where it ambushes prey and grows to max size of 110 cm (43 inches) long. It is yellow-brown with dark blotches and white spots, with large mouth and eyes on a blunt sno
Danger to Humans The swell shark is considered harmless, preferring to avoid contact
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.
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.
