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.
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
