Sharks have played a vital role in maintaining healthy oceans for hundreds of millions of years as a top predator. More than 450 species of sharks cruise the world’s oceans, ranging in size from 8 inches to a whopping 40 feet long. But today, nearly one in four sharks and their relatives are threatened with extinction. A major cause is the demand for shark fins. Every year, fins from as many as 73 million sharks end up in the global fin trade.
Learn fun facts and how you can help your favorite sharks – from great white sharks to hammerhead sharks – by clicking a species below.
The marbled electric ray, also known as the marbled torpedo ray, is one of many ray species that will literally leave prey in shock. Equipped with electric organs, this ray is an advanced ambush predator whose mottled skin color renders it nearly invisible to unsuspecting eyes Marbled electric rays are commonly found in the eastern … Read more
The spiny dogfish may go by many names, including piked dogfish, rock salmon and spiky dog, but only one truly represents this shark’s unique defense strategy. Using sharp, venomous spines in the front of each dorsal fin, the spiny dogfish is a small but mighty predator that isn’t afraid to take a jab at passing … Read more
A fast and agile predator, the spinner shark feeds unlike any other shark species by spinning out of the water in quick bursts of speed to catch a meal. This slender shark is often mistaken for a blacktip shark because its fins have gray or black tips. The spinner shark has a worldwide distribution and … Read more
A layer of sharp thorns on its back gives this ray a considerable edge over any predators looking for a bite. The spikes, which are a mixture of large, cone-shaped thorns and smaller, pointed scales known as denticles, are critical for the porcupine ray as they lack the venomous barb most stingray species use for warding off … Read more
The zebra shark is a large, distinctive shark that lives in shallow coral reef habitats in tropical waters where they can wriggle into narrow crevices and caves in search of food. Its appearance, which changes as the shark reaches maturity, has caused confusion among divers who often mistake it for the leopard shark. While the … Read more
The shovelnose guitarfish is a relatively small-bodied ray that has the typical wing-like pectoral fins of all rays but a body that otherwise resembles a shark’s. Like most rays, this species lives on the seafloor, typically settled on soft sandy or muddy bottoms, often near rocky reefs. Shovelnose guitarfish have the ability to pump water … Read more
The shortfin mako shark is a large, predatory shark that lives in the open ocean and reaches lengths of 12 feet (3.8 m) and weights of at least 1200 pounds (545 kg). With top speeds of 45 miles per hour (74 kilometers per hour), the shortfin mako is the fastest shark and is one of … Read more
The Pacific angel shark is one of 23 angel sharks, noted for their flattened appearance that makes them resemble skates or rays. These flat sharks have broad pectoral fins and relatively large mouths, which they use to create intense negative pressure (suction) when feeding. Though they resemble rays, angel sharks (and other flat sharks) can … Read more
The oceanic whitetip shark is one of the most widely ranging sharks, common throughout the warm latitudes of all oceans. It lives in the open ocean, where it is a predator at the top of pelagic food webs. This species gets its common name from the white tips of its dorsal, pectoral, and tail fins. … Read more
The bull shark is a predatory species that lives in coastal seas and is the shark with the best ability to move into freshwaters – particularly large, coastal rivers and lakes. They are able to move back and forth between saltwater and freshwater with ease. This behavior brings them into more contact with humans than … Read more
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We have already protected nearly 4 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea life - but there is still more to be done.