Did you know that there are over 500 species of sharks swimming in our oceans?1
While many of these fascinating creatures are instantly recognizable, some are so bizarre that they seem like they’ve been plucked straight from the pages of a science fiction novel.
Meet 19 shark species with appearances and behaviors that will leave you astounded.
1. Goblin Shark
This deep-sea dweller has a protruding jaw that extends to snatch prey. It’s also known for its pinkish color and translucent skin.
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2. Frilled Shark
This eel-like shark has a frilled appearance due to its six pairs of gill slits at its throat. Its backward-facing teeth make it a formidable predator in the depths.
3. Cookie-Cutter Shark
This small shark takes circular bites out of its prey, leaving a cookie-cutter-like wound. It uses bioluminescence to attract prey in the dark.
4. Wobbegong
This bottom-dwelling shark uses its camouflage and beard-like barbels to ambush unsuspecting prey. It has a flattened body and mottled pattern that blends seamlessly with the ocean floor.
5. Sawshark
This shark has a long, saw-like snout edged with teeth, which it uses to slash and stun prey. There are several species of sawshark, each with its own unique characteristics.
6. Hammerhead Shark
The unique hammer-shaped head of this shark provides it with enhanced sensory perception and maneuverability. There are several species of hammerhead, each with its own distinct head shape.
7. Thresher Shark
This shark uses its long, whip-like tail to herd and stun prey. The tail can be as long as the shark’s body, making it an effective hunting tool.
8. Megamouth Shark
This rare deep-sea shark is known for its massive mouth and filter-feeding habits. It uses its large gill plates to filter plankton and small fish from the water.
9. Kitefin Shark
This deep-sea shark is the largest luminous vertebrate, growing up to 6 feet long. It uses bioluminescence for communication and camouflage in the dark ocean.
10. Ninja Lanternshark
This small, black shark has photophores on its underside that produce a faint glow, helping it blend in with the downwelling light. This camouflage makes it difficult for predators and prey to spot it.
11. Bluntnose Sixgill Shark
This ancient shark has six gills instead of the usual five, and its body shape resembles that of fossil sharks. It’s a slow-moving predator that hunts in deep waters.
12. Greenland Shark
This Arctic shark is one of the longest-living vertebrates on Earth, with some individuals estimated to be over 400 years old. It’s a slow-moving scavenger that feeds on carrion and marine mammals.
13. Bigeye Thresher Shark
This thresher shark has enormous eyes that help it see in low light conditions. Its tail, which is as long as its body, is used to stun prey before consuming them.
14. Ghost Shark
Also known as chimaeras, these cartilaginous fish are closely related to sharks and rays. They have large, bulky snouts and long, whip-like tails, and inhabit deep waters around the world.
These sharks that rule the ocean waters may be some of the weirdest bunch of creatures, but they share this planet that we call home.
15. Basking Shark
This massive shark is the second-largest fish in the world and feeds on plankton by swimming with its mouth wide open. It’s harmless to humans, despite its size.
16. Zebra Shark
Named for its striped juvenile pattern, this shark changes to a spotted pattern as it matures. It’s a docile bottom-dweller found in the Indo-Pacific region.
17. Spined Pygmy Shark
One of the smallest shark species, this deep-sea dweller only grows up to 10 inches. It has bioluminescent organs on its belly, making it glow in the dark.
18. Whale Shark
Known as the largest shark species, this gentle giant is a filter feeder and poses no threat to humans. Whale sharks are found in warm, tropical waters worldwide.
19. Horn Shark
This small shark has a unique set of spines on its dorsal fins and prefers rocky environments near shorelines. Its teeth are adapted for crushing shells rather than tearing flesh.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.