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Shark Identification Key Final

This document provides identification information for 14 different shark species. It includes each shark's average length, weight, distinguishing physical features, coloring, and typical habitat. The species described are blacktip shark, bull shark, nurse shark, tiger shark, smooth dogfish shark, hammerhead shark, lemon shark, sandbar shark, Atlantic sharpnose shark, spinner shark and warnings for fishing regulations.

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273 views

Shark Identification Key Final

This document provides identification information for 14 different shark species. It includes each shark's average length, weight, distinguishing physical features, coloring, and typical habitat. The species described are blacktip shark, bull shark, nurse shark, tiger shark, smooth dogfish shark, hammerhead shark, lemon shark, sandbar shark, Atlantic sharpnose shark, spinner shark and warnings for fishing regulations.

Uploaded by

api-272628785
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Shark Identification Key

Black Tip Shark

Length

8 feet

Weight

66 lbs. - 220 lbs.

Color

Identifying
features

AustinGlerum
ScottOakley
SaraHidey
HayleyBurns

Habitat

Dark bluish gray to brown on dorsal side,


white ventricle surface white band across flank
Moderately long, pointed snout Long gill slits,
first dorsal fin towards back of pectoral fins.
First and second dorsal fins, pelvic fins, and
lower caudal lobe are black tipped.
Tropical and subtropical waters, found in large
groups

Bull Shark

Nurse Shark

Length

7 ft. 11.5 ft.

Length

14 ft.

Weight

200 lbs. 500 lbs.

Weight

730 lbs.

Color

Identifying
features

Habitat

Dark gray to black on the top, white belly.


Dorsal fin is shaped like a triangle, end of the
fins are black, and coloring disappears as they
grow older. Second dorsal fin is smaller than
the first, caudal fin is longer, lack an
interdorsal ridge. Round snout
Tropical and subtropical waters

Color
Identifying
features
Habitat

Rusty or yellow-brown
Broad, rounded head with two conspicuous
barbells between the nostrils
Tropical and subtropical coastal waters & reefs

Tiger Shark

Smooth Dogfish Shark

Length

5 feet

Weight

27 lbs.

Color
Length

18 ft.

Weight

2000 lbs.

Color
Identifying
features
Habitat

Light grey with a white belly


Dark stripes along the sides that fade as the shark
matures
Come into shore during late summer to give
birth.

Identifying
features
Habitat

Light grey with a white belly


Very small shark
Water less than 60 feet deep.

Hammerhead Shark

Lemon Shark

(Great, Smooth, & Scalloped)

Length

20 feet

Weight

1000 lbs.

Color
Identifying
features
Habitat

Gray or brown
Large flattened head that extends laterally.
Shallow, calm, coastal waters. (bays and harbors)

Length

11.3 feet

Weight

500 lbs.

Color
Identifying
features
Habitat

Yellow to grey on top, white belly


Flattened head and broad snout.
Dual, equally sized, dorsal fins on the back
Warm, clear waters

Sandbar Shark

Atlantic Sharp nose


Shark

Length

3 feet

Length

8 feet

Weight

16 lbs.

Weight

130 lbs.

Color
Identifying
features

Habitat

Brown to olive-gray
Extremely small slender shark with a flattened
snout. The long white trailing edge of fins are
black edged.
Inshore species, common in bays. Adults often
prefer offshore. Usually found in water less than
30 ft.

Color
Identifying
features
Habitat

Brown to gray with a white belly.


Color is the biggest identifying factor with this
shark.
60 ft. to 200 ft.

Spinner Shark

References
Information:
Web. <http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/bull-shark/>.
Web. <http://www.marinesciencecenter.com/blacktipshark.htm>.
Web. <http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/bull-shark/>.
Web. <http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bull_shark>.
"Common Sharks of Florida1." EDIS New Publications RSS. Florida Sea Grant
College
Program, 1 June 2002. Web. 7 Oct. 2014. <http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg062>.
Web. <http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_sharpnose_shark>.

Length

6.4 feet

Weight

120 lbs.

"Common Sharks of Florida." Sea Grant Florida. University of Florida. Web. 7 Oct. 2014.
<https://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/sharkperspective/common.pdf>.
Web. <http://www.sharkinfo.ch/SI3_02e/cbrevipinna.html>.

Color
Identifying
features
Habitat

Brown - gray with a white belly.


Slender body, back is gray bronze, belly is
white. Long pointed snout. Black anal fin.
Water less than 100 ft. deep

http://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/sharks-rays/shark-species/
Pictures:
Web.<http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/viewimage.php?image=81682&picture=bull-shark-face>.
Web.<http://news.mongabay.com/2014/0121-izaguirre-rediscovered-species.html
Black tip about blacktip>
"Nurse shark". Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nurse_shark.jpg#mediaviewer/File:
Nurse_shark.jpg
"Tiger shark" by Albert kok - Own work. Licensed under Creative Commons
Attribution-Share Alike 3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 via Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tiger_shark.jpg#mediaviewer/File:T
iger_shark.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carcharhinus_plumbeus_georgia.jpg
Taken by: Brian Gratwicke
Courtesy of NOAA Photo Library - Photo taken in Gulf of Mexico

WARNINGS
If you dont know, let it go
If Fishing: Must possess a valid HMS Angling or HMS
Charter/Head boat permit to fish for sharks in federal
waters. Vessels are limited to one shark greater than
54 per trip, plus one bonnethead and one Atlantic
sharpnose shark per person per trip. No size or bag
limit for smooth and spiny dogfish.

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