Requiem sharks

Silky shark

Carcharhinus falciformis

A sleek, warm-water open-ocean shark named for the smooth appearance of its densely packed skin denticles.

Open oceanWarm waterSchooling

View recent sightings

1 observationin our coverage data · past 365 days

Typical sizeAbout 7–8 ft

MaximumAbout 10 ft

Family size comparisonAbout 10 ft maximum

Dad, Daughter, Son & Mom

Family of fourSilky shark · About 10 ft

Every figure uses the same scale. The shark image is shown at the species’ published maximum length; individual animals vary.

Habitat

Tropical open ocean near continental-shelf edges and deep-water reefs; younger sharks may use coastal nurseries.

Geographic range

Tropical oceans worldwide, including the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Atlantic and Pacific waters.

Depth

Surface to at least 1,550 ft

Diet

Tuna, mackerel, squid, and other schooling fish.

How to recognize it

Long slender body, rounded first dorsal fin, elongated pectoral fins, and a very long free tip on the second dorsal fin.

Reproduction

Live-bearing; juveniles often gather in nursery areas before moving farther offshore.

Species facts

Did you know?

Densely packed denticles give its skin the smooth appearance behind its name.

Young silky sharks are often found near schools of tuna.

Awareness, not a live shark tracker.An observation is a report from a past time and place—not a prediction of where an animal is now. Species facts do not establish the size, age, behavior, or current location of the observed animal.