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
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
Carcharhinus galapagensis This large shark is often confused with several other sharks because of its fin sizes and placements, and brownish grey on top and white underneath coloring. They are abundantly present around oceanic islands. Younger sharks usually eat bottom-dwelling fish, but as they
Danger to Humans According to the International Shark Attack File, the Galapagos
Isistius brasiliensis This small, cigar-shaped shark is dark brown on top and light on the underside, with a darker band around its neck. The light underside glows, attracting fish, whales, and sharks. It attaches itself to the prey and uses its serrated bottom teeth to cut out a perfectly circul
Danger to Humans According to the International Shark Attack File, the cookie cutter
Prionace glauca Blue sharks are pelagic sharks commonly named for their distinct blue color that fades to a crisp white underside. They have a long, sleek body and an elongated conical snout. They are often seen swimming slowly at the surface with the tips of their dorsal and caudal fins out of t
Photo © Jeremy Stafford-Deitsch Danger to Humans The blue shark is relatively
Somniosus microcephalus This large, heavy-set shark grows to an average 8-14 feet long but can get to be 24 feet. It has a short, rounded snout, small eyes, and relatively small dorsal fins. Although it is an apex predator, it is a slow swimmer, and likely ambushes its prey and scavenges for
dogs that have been poisoned by the shark’s meat are often called “drunk.� Danger
