19 observationsNurse sharkGinglymostoma cirratumTypicalAbout 7.5–8 ftMaximumAbout 10 ftObserved19Past year
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It can use suction to pull prey from crevices.
Shark field cards
Meet the sharks behind the observations.
Explore the species appearing in our coastal observation coverage. Each guide separates reviewed animal science from the details of any individual observation.
21reviewed launch speciesAtlantic and Gulf collection
21 species
19 observationsNurse sharkGinglymostoma cirratum
16 observationsDusky smooth-houndMustelus canisTypicalAbout 4 ftMaximumAbout 5 ftObserved16Past year
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Its flat teeth work more like crushing plates than cutting blades.
12 observationsAtlantic sharpnose sharkRhizoprionodon terraenovaeTypicalAbout 2.5–3.5 ftMaximumAbout 3.6 ftObserved12Past year
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Its snout is longer than the width of its mouth.
10 observationsBonnetheadSphyrna tiburoTypicalAbout 3–4 ftMaximumAbout 5 ftObserved10Past year
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Bonnetheads can form schools numbering in the hundreds during migrations.
9 observationsBull sharkCarcharhinus leucasTypicalAbout 7–11 ftMaximumAbout 13 ftObserved9Past year
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Specialized body chemistry lets bull sharks tolerate freshwater.
8 observationsLemon sharkNegaprion brevirostrisTypicalAbout 8–10 ftMaximumAbout 11 ftObserved8Past year
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Young lemon sharks can remain associated with the same nursery area for years.
8 observationsWhite sharkCarcharodon carchariasTypicalAbout 11–16 ftMaximumEstimated about 20 ftObserved8Past year
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A heat-conserving circulatory system keeps parts of its body warmer than the surrounding sea.
5 observationsBlue sharkPrionace glaucaTypicalAbout 6–10 ftMaximumAbout 12.5 ftObserved5Past year
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Blue sharks make long migrations across entire ocean basins.
4 observationsSandbar sharkCarcharhinus plumbeusTypicalAbout 6 ftMaximumAbout 8 ftObserved4Past year
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Sandbars often migrate seasonally as water temperatures change.
3 observationsSand tiger sharkCarcharias taurusTypicalAbout 6.5–10 ftMaximumAbout 10.5 ftObserved3Past year
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It gulps air at the surface and holds it in its stomach to hover with little effort.
3 observationsFinetooth sharkCarcharhinus isodonTypicalAbout 5 ftMaximumAbout 6 ftObserved3Past year
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Large schools may chase menhaden and mullet into the surf.
3 observationsSpinner sharkCarcharhinus brevipinnaTypicalAbout 6.4 ftMaximumAbout 9 ftObserved3Past year
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It can burst vertically through a school of fish and spin above the surface.
2 observationsWhale sharkRhincodon typusTypicalCommonly 18–33 ftMaximumAbout 60 ftObserved2Past year
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Every whale shark has a spot pattern that can help researchers recognize individuals.
1 observationBlacktip sharkCarcharhinus limbatusTypicalAbout 5 ftMaximumAbout 8 ftObserved1Past year
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Blacktips sometimes leap from the water while feeding.
1 observationPorbeagleLamna nasusTypicalAbout 6–8 ftMaximumAbout 12 ftObserved1Past year
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A heat-conserving circulatory system lets it keep parts of its body warmer than surrounding water.
1 observationSpiny dogfishSqualus acanthiasTypicalAbout 2.5–3.25 ftMaximumAbout 4 ftObserved1Past year
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The name dogfish came from reports of schools chasing prey like packs of dogs.
1 observationBlacknose sharkCarcharhinus acronotusTypicalAbout 4.1 ftMaximumAbout 6.5 ftObserved1Past year
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The dark nose marking is often clearest on younger sharks.
1 observationSilky sharkCarcharhinus falciformisTypicalAbout 7–8 ftMaximumAbout 10 ftObserved1Past year
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Densely packed denticles give its skin the smooth appearance behind its name.
Reviewed guideAtlantic angelsharkSquatina dumerilTypicalAbout 3–4 ftMaximumAbout 5 ftObserved—Past year
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It can disappear beneath sand or mud while waiting to ambush prey.
Reviewed guideChain catsharkScyliorhinus retiferTypicalAbout 1–1.5 ftMaximumAbout 1.5 ftObserved—Past year
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Chain catsharks can glow through biofluorescence under blue light.
Reviewed guideShortfin makoIsurus oxyrinchusTypicalAbout 6.5–10 ftMaximumAbout 13 ftObserved—Past year
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It is widely considered the fastest shark, capable of extremely rapid bursts.
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What “observed” means: activity counts use de-duplicated Shark Alert observation records from the past 365 days. They describe reporting activity in our current sources—not the abundance of a species in the ocean.