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Deep-Sea Sharks

Sharks that spend much of their time in deeper offshore water columns and slopes.

16 matching species
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Underwater photograph of a basking shark feeding near the surface with its mouth open; not to scale.
Cetorhinus maximus

Basking Shark

Huge open-mouthed filter feeder of cooler seas.

12.0 m maxEndangered
Archival NOAA reference photograph of a blue shark; bundled for truthful species recognition.
Prionace glauca

Blue Shark

Pelagic cruiser with a strong blue-gray silhouette.

3.8 m maxNear Threatened
NOAA research photograph of a common thresher, emphasizing the long upper tail lobe used in prey strikes; not to scale.
Alopias vulpinus

Common Thresher

Uses a whip-like tail to stun fish schools.

6.0 m maxVulnerable
NOAA close specimen photograph of a cookiecutter shark emphasizing the blunt head and dark body; not to scale.
Isistius brasiliensis

Cookiecutter Shark

Small shark that carves neat circular bites from larger animals.

0.6 m maxLeast concern
Dwarf lanternshark reference photograph showing the tiny dark body and large eye; not to scale.
Etmopterus perryi

Dwarf Lanternshark

One of the smallest sharks on Earth.

0.2 m maxData deficient
Frilled shark reference image showing the eel-like body and frilled gill openings; not to scale.
Chlamydoselachus anguineus

Frilled Shark

A deep-water, eel-like shark with frilled gill slits.

2.0 m maxLeast Concern
Silhouette study emphasizing the long snout and protruding jaw profile; not to scale.
Mitsukurina owstoni

Goblin Shark

A deep-sea ambush shark with an extendable jaw.

4.0 m maxLeast concern
Great hammerhead photograph showing the wide cephalofoil and tall first dorsal fin; not to scale.
Sphyrna mokarran

Great Hammerhead

Long-cephalofoil hunter that patrols warm coastal waters.

6.1 m maxCritically Endangered
Great white shark specimen photograph used as bundled guide art.
Carcharodon carcharias

Great White Shark

Common name: White shark

Fast, powerful apex predator built for bursts of speed.

6.1 m maxVulnerable
Oceanic whitetip shark photographed in the Red Sea with pilot fish nearby, highlighting the broad white-tipped fins; not to scale.
Carcharhinus longimanus

Oceanic Whitetip

Common name: Oceanic whitetip shark

Open-ocean shark with tall, white-tipped fins.

3.8 m maxCritically Endangered
Silhouette study highlighting the cephalofoil and cruising profile; not to scale.
Sphyrna lewini

Scalloped Hammerhead

Distinct hammer-shaped head packed with sensory power.

4.2 m maxCritically endangered
Shortfin mako shark in the Gulf of Mexico; bundled NOAA reference photograph.
Isurus oxyrinchus

Shortfin Mako

Common name: Shortfin mako shark

One of the ocean’s fastest sharks.

4.0 m maxEndangered
Silky shark underwater photograph showing the slender body and rounded dorsal fin; not to scale.
Carcharhinus falciformis

Silky Shark

Dark-bodied open-ocean hunter with a silky texture.

3.9 m maxNear Threatened
NOAA specimen photograph of a tiger shark showing the broad head and faint body striping; not to scale.
Galeocerdo cuvier

Tiger Shark

Wide-ranging opportunist with a famously varied diet.

5.5 m maxNear threatened
Silhouette study emphasizing the broad filter-feeding body and spotted pattern reference; not to scale.
Rhincodon typus

Whale Shark

The planet's largest fish, but a gentle filter feeder.

18.0 m maxEndangered