Shark Identification for Cooperative Shark Tagging Program (S-W)

The Cooperative Shark Tagging Program is a collaborative effort between recreational anglers, the commercial fishing industry, and NOAA Fisheries to study the life history of Atlantic sharks. Sharks S - W

New England/Mid-Atlantic

Overview

Accurate species identification is critical. To help with identifications we have provided information on size, distinguishing characteristics, distribution, and habitat for sharks in our region.

Sandbar Shark

Carcharhinus plumbeus

Sandbar sharked viewed from the side showing the large triangular first dorsal fin that begins above the point where the back end of the pectoral fins are attached.

Lateral view of a sandbar shark.

Size

To about 8 ft (2.4 m).

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Single sandbar shark tooth showing the serrated, broad triangular shape

Third upper jaw tooth from a sandbar shark.

First dorsal fin large, triangular, originating over or slightly before pectoral insertion
Pectoral fins large, broad
Snout shorter than width of mouth
Color brownish-gray or brown above, white below
Interdorsal ridge

Distribution

Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Florida, including Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.

Habitat

Inshore shallow coastal waters, including bays, harbors, and estuaries; typically in waters 5-180 ft (2-55 m); also offshore, occasionally to 600-810 ft (183-247 m); bottom dwelling.

Similar Species

Blacktip shark, spinner shark, and bull shark lack interdorsal ridges. Dusky shark, most difficult to distinguish, attains larger maximum size (12 ft (3.7m)); has proportionally smaller, swept-back fins, with first dorsal fin farther back over free tips of pectoral fins. Bignose shark has longer snout, smaller first dorsal fin. Silky shark has smaller first dorsal fin, which is rounded, swept back, and set farther behind free tips of pectoral fins; second dorsal fin free tip length usually more than twice fin height.

Dusky and sandbar sharks viewed from the side while hooked on longline gear at the water’s surface showing how the first dorsal fin on the sandbar shark is larger and further forward than that of the dusky shark.

Comparison of dusky (top) and sandbar (bottom) shark lateral views at the water surface.

Apex Predator Publications and Reports - Sandbar Shark

Management of Atlantic Sharks

Sand Tiger

Carcharias taurus

Sand tiger shark viewed from the side showing the brownish spots on its side and the similar size in the first and second dorsal fins

Lateral view of a sand tiger shark.

Size

To about 10.5 ft (3.2 m).

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Single sand tiger tooth showing smooth, stout, slender triangular shape with a small peak or cusplet on either side of the curved base of the tooth.

Third upper jaw tooth from a sand tiger shark.

First dorsal fin far back on the body, closer to pelvic fins than pectoral fins
First and second dorsal and anal fins nearly equal in size
Snout flattened, with long mouth extending behind eyes
Color gray to light brown above, grayish-white below; often with brownish spots scattered on body; yellowish-brown spots on juveniles
Teeth large, needlelike, protruding from mouth, with 1-2 small caplets
No interdorsal ridge

Distribution

Gulf of Maine to Florida, including Gulf of Mexico, Bahamas, and Bermuda.

Habitat

Coastal; surf zone and shallow bays to outer shelves; generally bottom dwelling.

Similar Species

Lemon shark has teeth without cusps; first dorsal fin farther forward, closer to pectoral fins than pelvic fins. Nurse shark has nasal barbels; lacks distinct lower lobe of caudal fin.

Apex Predator Publications and Reports – Sand tiger shark

Management of Atlantic Sharks

Scalloped Hammerhead

Sphyrna lewini

Side view of a scalloped hammerhead also showing the topside of its curved hammer shaped head with an indentation in the center of the hammer

Lateral view of a scalloped hammerhead shark.

Size

To about 12 ft (3.7 m).

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Single scalloped hammerhead tooth showing the smooth, pointed triangular shape of this small tooth sitting on a wide base.

third upper jaw tooth from a scalloped hammerhead shark.

Head broadly arched and hammer-shaped, marked by prominent indentation at midline ("scalloped")
Pelvic fins with straight rear margins
Color deep olive to brownish-gray above, shading to white below
No interdorsal ridge

Distribution

Massachusetts to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.

Habitat

Coastal and offshore, primarily in water >72°F (22°C); coastal bays and surface waters to at least 900 ft (274 m).

Similar Species

Bonnethead has a shovel-shaped head; grows to about 5 ft (1.5 m). Smooth hammerhead lacks central indentation on anterior margin of head. Great hammerhead attains larger maximum size (18.5 ft (5.6 m)); has very high first dorsal fin, pelvic fins with curved rear margins.

A scalloped hammerhead lying in front of a great hammerhead on a boat deck showing the differences in the dorsal fins with the first dorsal of the great hammerhead being taller and narrower and the second dorsal being larger than a scalloped hammerhead of similar size.

Lateral view comparison of great hammerhead (back) and scalloped hammerhead (front) sharks.

Apex Predator Publications and Reports - Scalloped hammerhead shark

Management of Scalloped hammerhead shark

Shortfin Mako

Isurus oxyrinchus

Shortfin mako shark side view showing color gradient on side of deep blue, to iridescent light blue, to white going from top to bottom.

Lateral view of a shortfin mako shark.

Size

To about 13 ft (4 m).

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Single shortfin mako tooth showing smooth, stout, slightly hooked, slender triangular shape on a curved base.

Third upper jaw tooth of a shortfin mako shark.

Shortfin mako shark head from the side with mouth open showing how the teeth from the lower jaw protrude from the mouth.

Lateral view of a shortfin mako shark's head showing the conical pointed snout.

Snout conical, pointed
Caudal fin lunate with single keel on caudal peduncle
Color deep blue above; light metallic blue sides; snow-white below, including underside of snout and area around mouth
Teeth long, bladelike, smooth-edged, protruding from mouth

Distribution

Newfoundland, Canada, to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Common in the U.S. Northeast.

Habitat

Offshore from surface to at least 500 ft (152 m); generally in waters >61°F (16°C).

Similar Species

Porbeagle has secondary keels on the caudal fin, teeth with lateral cusplets; prefers colder water. Longfin mako has larger eyes, longer pectoral fins, dusky or blue-black underside of snout and area around the mouth. Blue shark lacks lunate caudal fin, caudal keels, sharply pointed snout. White shark has triangular teeth with serrated edges, blunter snout.

Lateral views of the shortfin mako, porbeagle, and white shark showing the shortfin mako’s more pointed snout and its body’s blue and white dorsoventral color pattern when compared to the other two species gray and white color patterns.

Lateral view comparison of shortfin mako (top), porbeagle (middle), and white (bottom) sharks.

Apex Predator Publications and Reports – Shortfin mako shark

Management of Shortfin mako shark

Silky Shark

Carcharhinus falciformis

Silky shark viewed from the side showing the small sloped first dorsal fin beginning behind the point where the back end of pectoral fins are attached.

Lateral view of a silky shark.

Size

To about 11 ft (3.4 m).

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Single silky shark tooth showing the serrated, broad triangular shape

Third upper jaw tooth from a silky shark.

Second dorsal fin with long free tip, usually more than twice fin height
First dorsal fin rounded, swept back, originating behind free tips of sickle-shaped pectoral fins
Color gray-brown or bronze above, white below
Interdorsal ridge

Distribution

New York to southern Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Uncommon north of Delaware.

Habitat

Offshore, over deep water reefs and near continental and insular slopes, primarily surface waters; juveniles closer to shore.

Similar Species

Dusky shark has blunter snout, smaller eyes, second dorsal free tip length rarely more than twice fin height. Sandbar shark and bignose shark have higher first dorsal fins placed farther forward, closer to pectoral fins. Night shark have green eyes, longer snout, characteristic teeth. Blacktip shark and spinner shark lack interdorsal ridges.

Apex Predator Publications and Reports – Silky shark

Management of Atlantic Sharks

Smooth Dogfish

Mustelus canis

Smooth dogfish shark viewed from the side showing the large eye and the similar size of the first and second dorsal fins.

Lateral view of smooth dogfish.

Size

To about 5 ft (1.5 m).

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Section of smooth dogfish jaws showing rows of tiny, smooth flat teeth.

Smooth dogfish teeth.

Fin spines absent
Dorsal spots absent
First and second dorsal fins nearly equal in size; second dorsal fin much larger that anal fin
Teeth pavement like, noncutting
Eyes large, oval-shaped, catlike; prominent spiracle behind eyes
Color olive-gray to brown above, yellowish- or grayish-white below
Interdorsal ridge

Distribution

Massachusetts to Florida, including Gulf of Mexico, possibly Caribbean Sea. Uncommon north of Massachusetts.

Habitat

Coastal; bays and nearshore waters, usually <60 ft (18 m) but down to 660 ft (200 m) or deeper; primarily near or on bottom.

Similar Species

Spiny dogfish has white spots, dorsal spines; lacks anal fin. Atlantic sharpnose shark has white spots on the back and sides.

Apex Predator Publications and Reports – Smooth dogfish

Management of Atlantic Sharks

Smooth Hammerhead

Sphyrna zygaena

Side view of a smooth hammerhead shark also showing the underside of its curved hammer shaped head with no indentation in the center of the hammer and the eyes barely visible on the tips of each side of the hammer.

Smooth hammerhead shark

Size

To about 13 ft (4 m).

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Single smooth hammerhead shark tooth showing its smooth, broad, oblique triangular shape.

Third upper jaw tooth from a smooth hammerhead shark.

Head broadly arched and hammer-shaped, lacking indentation at midline ("smooth")
Pelvic fins with straight to slightly concave rear margins
Color deep olive to brownish-gray above, shading to white below
Underbody of posterior portion of body may have numerous small dark spots on lighter-shaded areas
No interdorsal ridge

Distribution

Nova Scotia, Canada to Florida.

Habitat

Coastal and offshore; from surface to at least 66 ft (20 m); tolerates much cooler waters than most hammerheads.

Similar Species

Bonnethead shark has a shovel-shaped head; grows to about 5 ft (1.5 m). Scalloped hammerhead and great hammerhead have prominent central indentations on the anterior margin of head. Great hammerhead attains larger maximum size (18.5 ft (5.6 m)); has very high first dorsal fin, pelvic fins with curved rear margins.

Apex Predator Publications and Reports – Smooth hammerhead shark

Management of Atlantic Sharks

Spinner Shark

Carcharhinus brevipinna

Spinner shark viewed from the side showing the dark black tipped pectoral, dorsal, anal, and caudal fins.

Lateral view of a spinner shark.

Size

To about 9 ft (2.7 m).

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Single spinner shark tooth showing a serrated narrow triangular shape on a broad base.

Third upper jaw tooth from a spinner shark.

Anal, first and second dorsal, pectoral, and lower caudal fins black-tipped (look as if dipped in jet black paint) in specimens >2.6 ft (0.8 m)
First dorsal fin fairly small, originating over or just behind free tips of pectoral fins, apex rounded
Snout pointed, as long as or longer than width of mouth
Color gray or bronze above with light, conspicuous wedge-shaped band or Z-shaped line on sides beginning near pectoral fins, gradually widening rearward to pelvic fins to merge with white on belly
No interdorsal ridge

Distribution

Virginia to Florida, including the Gulf of Mexico; possibly into Caribbean.

Habitat

Coastal and offshore. Common in shallow waters <100 ft (30 m).

Similar Species

Blacktip shark, most difficult to distinguish, has all black-tipped fins except for white anal fin. Finetooth shark has unmarked fins, shorter snout, longer gills. Sandbar shark, dusky shark, night shark, and silky shark have interdorsal ridges.

Lateral view of the blacktip and spinner shark tail regions with the caudle fins facing each other. The black-tipped second dorsal and lower lobe of the caudle fin is visible on both the blacktip and spinner shark tail regions, but only a black-tipped anal fin is present on the spinner shark

Comparison of blacktip and spinner shark tail regions demonstrating the black coloration on the spinner shark anal fin and the lack of color on the blacktip shark anal fin.

Apex Predator Publications and Reports – Spinner shark

Management of Atlantic Sharks

Spiny Dogfish

Squalus acanthias

Spiny dogfish viewed from the side showing its large eye, the spines in front of each dorsal fin and the white spots along the side of its body

Lateral view of a spiny dogfish.

Size

To about 4.5 ft (1.4 m).

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Section of spiny dogfish jaws showing rows of tiny broad teeth with a notch below a sharp point on the outer margin

Spiny dogfish teeth

Dorsal fins bother preceded by a single spine
Anal fin absent
Body with scattered small white spots
Color slate-gray or brownish-gray above, pale gray to white below
Interdorsal ridge weak

Distribution

Greenland to Florida and Cuba. Uncommon south of North Carolina.

Habitat

Coastal and offshore; surface waters to 3,000 ft (914 m), usually near the bottom in waters 43-52°F (6-11°C).

Similar Species

Smooth dogfish and Atlantic sharpnose shark have anal fins, lack dorsal fin spines. Smooth dogfish lacks white spots.

Apex Predator Publications and Reports – Spiny dogfish

Management of Spiny dogfish

Tiger Shark

Galeocerdo cuvier

Tiger shark swimming near the surface showing its broad head and leopard-like pattern along the body

Dorsolateral view of a tiger shark.

Size

To about 18 ft (5.5 m).

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Single tiger shark tooth showing its serrated, broad, oblique triangular shape with a deep notch on the outer margin

Third upper jaw tooth from a tiger shark.

Dorsal surfaces of juveniles covered with dark blotches on bluish- or greenish-gray to black background; blotches fuse to form tigerlike vertical bars or stripes as shark grows; coloration fades to gray and stripes become less distinct in adults
Snout blunt and wide, much shorter than width of mouth; long labial furrows around corners of mouth reaching eyes
Teeth serrated with deep notch on outer margins, similar in both jaws
Interdorsal ridge low

Distribution

Cape Cod to Uruguay, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.

Habitat

Coastal waters close inshore to the outer continental shelf; offshore including oceanic island groups.

Similar Species

Characteristic teeth and markings of tiger shark distinguish this species from other Atlantic sharks.

Apex Predator Publications and Reports – Tiger shark

Management of Atlantic Sharks

Whale Shark

Rhincodon typus

Whale shark swimming underwater with a clear view of its dark dorsal surface covered in whitish spots on the head and fins with the spots encased in a checkerboard pattern on the rest of the dorsal surface

Lateral view of a whale shark.

Size

To about 40 ft (12.2 m).

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Back and sides marked with unique checkerboard pattern of white-to-yellow spots and transverse bars on dark gray to reddish- or greenish-gray background
Head broad and flat with short snout
Mouth near tip of snout in front of eyes
Sides with three prominent ridges

Distribution

New York to central Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.

Habitat

Coastal and offshore; sometimes enters lagoons of coral atolls; most commonly 68-77°F (20-25°C).

Similar Species

Size and unique markings of whale shark distinguish this species from other Atlantic sharks.

Apex Predator Publications and Reports – Whale shark

Management of Atlantic Sharks

White Shark

Carcharodon carcharias

White shark underwater showing its large conical snout and distinct color change drawing a jagged line down the length of the body going from gray to white

Underwater view of a large white shark.

Size

To about 21 ft (6.4 m).

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Single white shark tooth showing it's serrated large triangular shape.

Third upper jaw tooth from a white shark.

Teeth large, triangular, serrated (juvenile tooth pictured)
Snout conical
First dorsal fin large, triangular
Color leaden-white to brown or black above, shading to gray-white below
Caudal fin lunate with single keel on caudal peduncle

A small and a large white shark positioned next to the same man in a side by side comparison showing the vast difference in size of the sharks with one spanning the man from his shoulders to his knees and the other nearly three times his total length.

One of the smallest and largest white sharks sampled by former Apex Predators researcher Chuck Stillwell, seen here positioned next to each shark.

Distribution

Newfoundland, Canada, and Gulf of St. Lawrence to Florida, Cuba, Bahamas, and Gulf of Mexico. Uncommon throughout its range.

Habitat

Coastal and offshore along continental shelf and islands.

Similar Species

Basking shark attains larger maximum size (around 32 ft (9.8 m)); has gill slits nearly encircling head. Shortfin mako, longfin mako, and porbeagle have bladelike, smooth-edged teeth, different coloration; attain smaller maximum size. Porbeagle has secondary keels on caudal fin.

Apex Predator Publications and Reports - White shark

Management of Atlantic Sharks

Other Species

More Identification Information

Last updated by Northeast Fisheries Science Center on 06/12/2023