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
Mustelus canis This small, slender shark has elongated cat-like eyes, triangular fins, and an asymmetrical, notched caudal (tail) fin. Unlike most sharks, this dogfish has rows of flat grinding teeth rather than sharp blades, which are ideal for crushing and chewing the crustaceans and mollusks t
Danger to Humans The smooth dogfish poses no threat to humans due to its small size
Heterodontus portusjacksoni This medium size Australian shark has a blunt head with a small mouth and prominent crests above its eyes. It is usually a light gray brown, with black bands over its eyes and across its back in a harness shape. Unlike most sharks, the Port Jackson can eat and breathe
Danger to Humans According to the International Shark Attack File, there are no
Heptranchias perlo Unlike most sharks, it has seven instead of five pairs of gill slits (Last and Stevens 2009). Because it is small and lives in deep waters, it is considered no threat to humans, but when caught it can be aggressive, and the flesh is potentially poisonous (Halstead and Campbell
Danger to Humans This shark is considered harmless to humans.
With toothlike spines and barbs, thorny skates are just as sharp as their name suggests. But these shark relatives are far more mysterious than they first appear. Scientists at the Florida Museum of Natural History are using new genetic sequencing technology to understand why current management e
Unlike rays, however, skates lack stinging barbs and spines and pose no danger to
Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi These ancient fish lack teeth, and instead of scales, have bony plates called scutes. They have a limited habitat, living in the Gulf of Mexico most of the time, and then swim up rivers to spawn. For years they were so overly fished that they now are listed as pro
Danger to Humans Gulf Sturgeon. Photo courtesy U.S.
Echeneis naucrates These are very recognizable fish because of their highly modified dorsal fin that is an oval shaped sucking disc. They are as long as 43 inches, and slender, with lower jaws that extend much further than upper. They attach themselves to sharks, turtles, whales, large bony fish,
Danger to Humans Although considered harmless to humans, there have been some reports
Carcharias taurus Sand tiger sharks are large, slow-moving, coastal sharks that have a flattened, conical snout. They are light brown on the dorsal surface with some scattered dark spots, and light colored ventrally. They have broad triangular fins and a distinct caudal fin that is asymmetrical (
Image © Doug Perrine Danger to Humans While these animals are not aggressive unless
Trachinotus falcatus This very tall, flat fish is most distinctive for its elongated dorsal and anal fins, and its deeply forked tail. It also has a series of dorsal rays, which give it its name „rough back“. These schooling fish hunt their prey inshore on sandy sea grass flats, but as they get o
Danger to Humans Lemon shark on grass flats where permit feed.
