Sharks are fascinating creatures that have captured the imagination of people for centuries. With over 500 species of sharks swimming in the world’s oceans, they come in all shapes and sizes. However, when most people think of sharks, they imagine a large, sharp-toothed and scary beast.
While this generalization does sharks a disservice, it is true that some species of sharks are more fearsome than others. In this article, we will explore the top 10 scariest sharks, from giants to jaws. We will look at their size, behavior, and reputation to understand why they are considered some of the most terrifying creatures in the ocean.
You are reading: The Top 10 Scariest Sharks From Giants To Jaws
Top 10 Scariest Sharks From Giants To Jaws
Great White Shark
The Great White Shark is a species of large mackerel shark that can be found in the coastal surface waters of all the major oceans.
Here are some interesting facts about the Great White Shark:
– The Great White Shark is the world’s largest known predatory fish.
– It is the only known surviving species of its genus Carcharodon.
– The largest preserved female specimen measured 5.83 m (19.1 ft) in length and around 2,000 kg (4,410 lb) in weight at maturity.
– Great White Sharks have a bite more than 20 times stronger than a human.
– They have slate-gray upper bodies to blend in with the rocky coastal sea floor, but they get their name from their white underbellies.
– Great White Sharks are decreasing in numbers and are considered vulnerable to extinction.
– While Great Whites are one of the few species known to have bitten and killed people, these events are extremely rare. Typically, when a Great White Shark does bite a person, it only takes one exploratory bite and quickly realizes that the person is not its preferred prey.
– Human-made threats such as bycatch and the cruel practice of shark finning have had a significant impact on the Great White Shark’s population status.
– The Great White Shark is a prohibited species (no retention allowed) in all U.S. waters and fisheries.
– The Great White Shark is one of the most well-studied shark species in the world, including its populations off the east and west coasts of the United States.
– The oldest reported female Great White Shark is 40 years old, while a male Great White Shark is reported to live up to 73 years.
Tiger Shark
The Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) is a species of ground shark and the only extant member of the genus Galeocerdo and family Galeocerdonidae.
Here are some interesting facts about the Tiger Shark:
– The Tiger Shark is the fourth largest shark and the second largest predatory shark, reaching lengths of at least 18 feet (5.5 m) and weighing up to 2,000 pounds (nearly a metric tonne).
– It is named for the dark, vertical stripes found mainly on juveniles, which fade slightly as individuals reach adulthood but are still partially visible throughout their lifetime.
– Tiger Sharks are known for their wide food spectrum, making them one of the most opportunistic feeders among sharks. Their diet includes crustaceans, fish, seals, birds, squid, turtles, sea snakes, dolphins, and even other, smaller sharks. They have also been observed consuming inedible, man-made objects that linger in their stomachs, earning them the reputation of “garbage eaters”.
– These sharks have only one recorded natural predator, the orca.
– Tiger Sharks are common in tropical and sub-tropical waters throughout the world, with populations found in the central Pacific islands, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean Sea.
– They are known for their sharp, highly serrated teeth and powerful jaws, which allow them to crack the shells of sea turtles and clams.
– The Tiger Shark is a slow-moving species with excellent senses of sight and smell, making them avid scavengers.
– Unfortunately, Tiger Sharks are regularly hunted, mainly for their fins and liver oil. Overfishing and bycatch pose significant threats to their populations, leading to their classification as near threatened by the IUCN.
Bull Shark
The Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) is a species of shark that can be found worldwide in warm, shallow waters along coasts and in rivers.
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Here are some interesting facts about the Bull Shark:
Appearance:
– Bull sharks range from 7 to 11.5 feet in length and can weigh between 200 and 500 pounds.
– Females grow larger than males.
– The top side of the shark ranges in color from pale to dark gray, fading to white on the underside.
– Bull sharks have short, blunt snouts and large, angular pectoral fins.
– Their first dorsal fins are large and broadly triangular, while their second dorsal fins are significantly smaller than the first.
– Younger sharks have black tips on their fins.
Feeding:
– Bull sharks are opportunistic feeders, targeting bony fishes, sharks, turtles, birds, dolphins, and terrestrial mammals.
– They are named for their blunt snout, aggressive nature, and tendency to head-butt their prey before attacking.
Habitat:
– Bull sharks are known for their ability to swim in both saltwater and freshwater environments.
– They are one of only a few shark species capable of living and breeding in freshwater environments.
– Bull sharks have been found in Lake Nicaragua, several hundred kilometers up Africa’s Zambezi River, and nearly 3,700 km (about 2,300 miles) up the Amazon River in Peru.
Threats:
– The bull shark is listed as a near threatened species, and their biggest threats are habitat loss and being bycatch from fishing.
– Because bull sharks favor shallow coastal waters, they are among the most likely sharks to attack humans.
– Studies have implicated bull sharks in more than 120 attacks on humans.
Pelagic Whitefin
The Pelagic Whitefin is a type of fish that belongs to the Aulopiformes order. Here are some facts about the Pelagic Whitefin:
Appearance:
– The Pelagic Whitefin is a deep-sea shark with a long, slender body and sharp teeth.
– It has a white underbelly and a dark-colored back.
Habitat:
– The Pelagic Whitefin is a pelagic nekton, which means it is a free-swimming fish that lives in the open ocean.
– It can be found in near-surface waters to bathypelagic depths.
– The Pelagic Whitefin is not commonly found in shallow waters near shorelines.
Distribution:
– The Pelagic Whitefin is found worldwide in the coastal surface waters of all the major oceans.
– It has been reported in countries such as Cuba and Togo.
Threats:
– There is limited information available on the population status of the Pelagic Whitefin.
– It is not known to be a target species for fisheries, but it may be caught as bycatch.
Blacktip Shark
The Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) is a species of requiem shark that is common to coastal tropical and subtropical waters around the world, including brackish habitats. Here are some interesting facts about the Blacktip Shark:
Appearance:
– The Blacktip Shark gets its name from the distinctive black markings on the tips of its fins.
– They are gray to gray-brown, with white on the belly and a conspicuous wedge-shaped band or Z-shaped line on the sides.
Habitat:
– Blacktip Sharks live in coastal waters off beaches, over coral reefs, and in bays and estuaries.
– They are a migratory species and usually aggregate in small schools segregated by gender.
– Blacktip Sharks are found in tropical and subtropical waters all around the world.
Feeding:
– Blacktip Sharks are swift and energetic predators that are usually found in groups of varying size.
– They feed on small fish, including sardines, anchovies, and menhaden, as well as squid and crustaceans.
Threats:
– Blacktip Sharks are one of the most important species to the northwestern Atlantic shark fishery, second only to the sandbar shark.
– They are often caught as bycatch in commercial and recreational fisheries, and their meat is considered superior to that of the sandbar shark.
– Blacktip Sharks are popular with recreational anglers in Florida, the Caribbean, and South Africa.
– They are listed as a game fish by the International Game Fish Association.
– Blacktip Sharks are responsible for a significant amount of shark bites that occur in the USA, but they usually avoid humans and are described as “unintentionally dangerous”.
Sand Tiger Shark
Here are some interesting facts about the Sand Tiger Shark:
Appearance:
– The Sand Tiger Shark is also known as the gray nurse shark, spotted ragged-tooth shark, or blue-nurse sand tiger.
– They have a brownish-gray top with rust-colored spots and a white underbelly.
– They have a flattened, conical snout and a distinctive, oblong tail with a notched, upper lobe that is significantly longer than the lobe below.
– Sand Tiger Sharks have a mouthful of narrow, pointed teeth that protrude in all directions, even when the mouth is shut.
Habitat:
– The Sand Tiger Shark inhabits subtropical and temperate waters worldwide, from sandy shorelines and submerged reefs to a depth of around 191 m (627 ft).
– They are often seen trolling the ocean floor in the surf zone, very close to shore.
– Sand Tiger Sharks are a large species, growing to a maximum length of 10.5 feet (3.2 m) and weight of 350 pounds (159 kg).
Feeding:
– Sand Tiger Sharks are nocturnal feeders and take shelter near rocks, overhangs, caves, and reefs during the day.
– They feed on a variety of bony fish, including herring, mackerel, and menhaden, as well as squid and crustaceans.
Behavior:
– Sand Tiger Sharks are a docile, non-aggressive species, known to attack humans only when bothered first.
– They are often found in groups, and many aquariums keep Sand Tiger Sharks in their shark exhibits because they are impressive looking and survive well in captivity.
Threats:
– Sand Tiger Sharks are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN due to overfishing and habitat loss.
– They are often caught as bycatch in commercial and recreational fisheries, and their meat, fins, and liver oil are highly valued.
– Sand Tiger Sharks are also targeted by sport fishermen, who prize them for their fighting ability.
Great Hammerhead Shark
The Great Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna mokarran) is the largest species of hammerhead shark, belonging to the family Sphyrnidae.
Here are some interesting facts about the Great Hammerhead Shark:
Appearance:
– The Great Hammerhead Shark has a nearly straight hammer-shaped head with a prominent indentation in the middle.
– It has a dark olive green to brownish-gray top and a white underbelly.
– The Great Hammerhead Shark is the largest of all nine hammerhead species, reaching an average length of 13.1 feet (4 m) and weight of 500 pounds (230 kg).
– The longest Great Hammerhead Shark ever recorded was 20 feet (6.1 m) long, and the heaviest Great Hammerhead Shark ever recorded was 991 pounds (450 kg).
Habitat:
– Great Hammerhead Sharks are apex predators and can be found worldwide in coastal, warm waters that are 68 degrees (20 degrees Celsius) or higher.
– They are solitary and migrate long distances upward of 756 miles (1,200 km) alone.
– Great Hammerhead Sharks are a migratory species, and some populations move poleward during the winter.
Feeding:
– Great Hammerhead Sharks have long, serrated teeth and use their hammer-shaped heads to detect and eat prey.
– Their heads are equipped with electrical receptors that can sense potential prey, including those hiding in the sand.
– The Great Hammerhead Shark feeds on a wide variety of prey, but favors stingrays, groupers, and sea catfishes. It also feeds on squid, crabs, tarpon, sardines, toadfishes, porgies, grunts, jacks, herring, grouper, boxfish, other sharks, skates, guitarfish, cownose and eagle rays.
Behavior:
– The Great Hammerhead Shark is a solitary, nomadic predator that tends to be given a wide berth by other reef sharks.
– If confronted, it may respond with an agonistic display, dropping its pectoral fins and swimming in a stiff or jerky fashion.
– Juveniles are preyed upon by larger sharks such as bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas), while adults have no major predators except for killer whales, which hunt hammerheads of any age.
Threats:
– Great Hammerhead Sharks are listed as endangered by the IUCN due to overfishing and habitat loss.
– They are often caught as bycatch in commercial and recreational fisheries, and their meat, fins, and liver oil are highly valued.
– Great Hammerhead Sharks are also targeted by sport fishermen, who prize them for their fighting ability.
Shortfin Mako
The Shortfin Mako Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) is a large, predatory shark that lives in the open ocean and is found in tropical and warm temperate waters of all oceans.
Here are some interesting facts about the Shortfin Mako Shark:
Appearance:
– The Shortfin Mako Shark has a pointed snout and long gill slits.
– They have dark blue/gray backs, light metallic blue sides, and white undersides.
– Shortfin Mako Sharks can reach a size of 13 feet (4 m) in length and weigh up to 1,260 pounds (570 kg).
– They have a relatively stout body that tapers at both ends and moderately short pectoral fins.
Habitat:
– Shortfin Mako Sharks are pelagic, living in the open ocean and are found in tropical and warm temperate waters of all oceans.
– They are highly migratory and can be found in both coastal and offshore waters.
Feeding:
– Shortfin Mako Sharks are known for their speed and agility, and they are one of the fastest fishes on the planet, capable of swimming at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour (74 kilometers per hour).
– They are apex predators and feed on a variety of prey, including bony fishes (including relatively large tunas), squids, other sharks, small marine mammals, sea turtles, and even dead organic matter.
– Shortfin Mako Sharks are at the top of the pelagic food web, and adults do not have any known natural predators. Juveniles are likely eaten by other sharks and perhaps by cannibalistic adults.
Threats:
– Shortfin Mako Sharks are listed as Endangered by the IUCN due to overfishing and habitat loss.
– They are often caught as bycatch in commercial and recreational fisheries, and their meat, fins, and liver oil are highly valued.
– Shortfin Mako Sharks are also targeted by sport fishermen, who prize them for their fighting ability.
– Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch, and NOAA Fisheries works with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas to assess the status of Shortfin Mako Sharks in the Atlantic.
Basking Shark
The Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus) is the second-largest living shark and fish, after the whale shark, and one of three plankton-eating shark species, along with the whale shark and megamouth shark.
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Here are some interesting facts about the Basking Shark:
Appearance:
– The Basking Shark has a large, light gray body that is darker on the top side and becomes lighter underneath.
– It has a large, black, triangular dorsal fin on its back.
– The shark’s wide-opening jaw is white inside with black gill rakers (finger-like structures that prevent food from escaping through the gills).
– The mouth has several rows of very small teeth.
– Adults typically reach 7.9 m (26 ft) in length.
Habitat:
– The Basking Shark is a coastal-pelagic shark found worldwide in boreal to warm-temperate waters.
– It lives around the continental shelf and occasionally enters brackish waters.
– It is found from the surface down to at least 910 m (2,990 ft).
– It prefers temperatures of 8 to 14.5 °C (46.4 to 58.1 °F), but has been confirmed to cross the much-warmer waters at the equator.
– It is often seen close to land, including in bays with narrow openings.
Feeding:
– The Basking Shark is a slow-moving filter feeder, and its common name derives from its habit of feeding at the surface, appearing to be basking in the warmer water there.
– It has anatomical adaptations for filter-feeding, such as a greatly enlarged mouth and highly developed gill rakers.
– Its snout is conical, and the gill slits extend around the top and bottom of its head.
– The Basking Shark feeds on zooplankton, very small fish, and invertebrates.
Behavior:
– The Basking Shark is a cosmopolitan migratory species, found in all the world’s temperate oceans.
– It is a ram feeder, filtering zooplankton from the water.
– The Basking Shark is typically seen swimming slowly at the surface, mouth agape in open water near shore.
– This species is known to enter bays and estuaries as well as venturing offshore.
– Basking Sharks are often seen traveling in pairs and in larger schools of up to 100 or more.
Threats:
– Basking Sharks are listed as endangered by the IUCN due to overfishing and habitat loss.
– They are often caught as bycatch in commercial and recreational fisheries, and their meat, fins, and liver oil are highly valued.
– Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch, and NOAA Fisheries works with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas to assess the status of Basking Sharks in the Atlantic.
Whale Shark
The Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) is a slow-moving, filter-feeding carpet shark and the largest known extant fish species.
Here are some interesting facts about the Whale Shark:
– The Whale Shark is the largest shark and the largest fish in the world, with the largest confirmed individual measuring 18.8 m (61.7 ft) in length.
– It has a very widespread distribution, occurring in all tropical and warm-temperate seas, except in the Mediterranean.
– These gentle giants feed on plankton and travel large distances to find enough food to sustain their huge size and to reproduce.
– Their white spotted coloration makes them easy to distinguish and popular with snorkelers and divers at sites where they aggregate off the coast.
– The distribution of Whale Sharks indicates the presence of plankton and the overall health of our oceans.
– They are found in all the tropical oceans of the world and are often seen alone, although large numbers of Whale Sharks can gather in areas with abundant plankton food, making them prime tourist attractions.
– The body coloration of the Whale Shark is distinctive, with light vertical and horizontal stripes forming a checkerboard pattern on a dark background, and light spots marking the fins and dark areas of the body.
– The Whale Shark is one of three large filter-feeding sharks, along with the megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios) and the basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus).
– They have a broad, flat head, short snout, and a huge transverse, terminal mouth almost as wide as their body.
FAQS
1. What is the scariest shark in the world?
The Great White Shark is often considered the scariest shark due to its size, power, and reputation as a formidable predator.
2. Which shark has the most powerful bite?
The Bull Shark is known to have one of the most powerful bites among sharks, thanks to its strong jaw muscles and sharp teeth.
3. Are all sharks dangerous to humans?
Not all sharks are dangerous to humans. While some species, like the Great White, Tiger, and Bull Sharks, have been involved in attacks on humans, most sharks are not interested in humans as prey and will not attack unless provoked.
4. What is the largest shark in the world?
The Whale Shark holds the title for the largest shark in the world. Despite its massive size, it is a gentle filter-feeder that poses no threat to humans.
5. Are there any prehistoric sharks on the list of the top 10 scariest sharks?
No, the top 10 list focuses on modern-day sharks. However, there have been some fascinating discoveries of prehistoric sharks with terrifying features, such as the wide-eyed shark with hidden chompers.
6. Are there any movies about these scary sharks?
Yes, there have been several movies featuring scary sharks. Some notable examples include Jaws (1975), Deep Blue Sea (1999), and The Shallows (2016).
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