Isurus oxyrinchus The shortfin mako is considered the fastest shark in the world, able to reach burst swimming speeds of up to 43 mph (70 km h-1) (Diez et al. 2015). This classically shaped shark is hydrodynamically efficient with a pointed snout, triangular dorsal fin and large and a crescen
Danger to Humans Although an oceanic species, the shortfin mako’s power and speed
Aetobatus narinari These rays have a very wide diamond-shaped pectoral disc that can reach over 9 feet wide, and is a dramatic dark color scattered with light spots or rings. It can grow to over 8 feet long, and when including the incredibly long whip-like tail, it has been measured at over 16 fe
Danger to Humans Generally a shy species, spotted eagle rays are wary of divers
History of the United States Endangered Species Act Conservation efforts to save species of plants and animals from extinction began in the early 1900s. A species of plant or animal is considered extinct when there are no living members of that group found alive anywhere on Earth; in other words, a
The ENDANGERED category applies to any species considered to be in danger of becoming
Carcharhinus brevipinna The spinner shark is a slender, gray-bronze shark named for its distinctive aerial „spinning“ behavior at the surface. When feeding, spinner sharks will often swim through schools of bait fish, spinning along their longitudinal axis, snapping at fish as they move through t
Danger to Humans Although the spinner shark is not considered dangerous to humans
Carcharhinus longimanus This large shark is readily recognized by its long white-tipped paddle-like pectoral fins and rounded first dorsal fin (Compagno et al. 2005). Solitary and slow moving, it prefers the upper layers of deep-water areas, where it is an opportunistic hunter (Baum et al. 2015).
Danger to Humans Although primarily found offshore, the oceanic whitetip is considered
Prior to the first world war, sprawling European empires collectively controlled roughly 80% of Earth’s landmass. Following WWII, that percentage drastically shrank, as colonies and occupied territories successfully vied for their independence, leading many to assume that the colonial mindset of tak
Life on Earth Unique dove species is the dodo of the Caribbean and in similar danger
Hexanchus griseus This large, deepwater shark is an example of significantly more primitive species found only as fossils. It has a broad, flat head, large green eyes, and a small, single dorsal fin far along its back. Average length is 15 to 16 feet long, and it is gray to olive to brown in colo
Danger to Humans This shark has not been reported to attack people without being
Albula vulpes This elusive, silvery fish is prized among fishers, but because of restrictions and its many bones, it is often released instead of brought in as food. These hard-to-find ‚gray ghosts‘ appear dark blue-green from above with silver sides streaked with darker grey. Due to their fe
Danger to Humans Bonefish pose no threat to humans, though ciguatera poisoning may
Stegostoma fasciatum This mollusk crunching coastal carpetshark was misidentified for years by taxonomists. Due to the black and white stripes of the pups eventually turning to spotted adults, the two different life stages were thought to be differing species. Zebra sharks are popular attractions
Danger to Humans They are generally harmless to humans however, they may bite if
Ginglymostoma cirratum These bottom dwelling sharks are usually yellowish-tan to dark brown and, as adults, average around 7.5 to 8 feet long and over 200 pounds (Rosa et al. 2006). They are nocturnal, scouting the sea bottom for crustaceans, mollusks and stingrays during the night before returni
Danger to Humans Nurse sharks are not generally aggressive and usually swim away
