Featured Image Credit:WesternAustraliansForSharkConservation
By Sarah Sharkey
Meet the most fascinating and unique sharks on the planet. Some sharks have ranges spanning the whole planet, and some don’t even leave the darkest depths of the ocean. But when they do surface, it is an amazing sight… from a safe distance. These sharks are what we believe to be the most fascinating sharks alive.
1.) Hammerhead Sharks
These distinctive sharks use their oddly shaped heads to hunt for prey. Their specialized sensory organs are spread across their very wide head. The increased sensory surface area allows them to more efficiently scan the ocean for prey. Not only does their “hammerhead” give them “mad street cred” (because what kind of sea creature wants to run into this scary dude), but it also helps them find food. That’s a win-win in our book.
2.) Wobbegong Sharks
Wobbegong? Yes. That is the real name of this shark. The autocorrect nightmare means “shaggy beard,” which is also an appropriate descriptor for these sharks. Carpet sharks are bottom-dwelling sharks that hunt via ambush. Picture the 70s shag carpet from your grandparents house that always seems like it is up to no good. There are only 12 species of wobbegongs and most of them are found in the shallow waters around Australia and Indonesia.
3.) Great White Sharks
You’ve definitely heard of these bad boys. Unfortunately, great white sharks have a negative connotation because they are typically associated with shark attacks. But these massive sharks are not all bad… just instinctive. Their killer senses can detect a drop of blood in 100L of water. By tipping the scales at up to 5,000 lbs, they are the largest predatory fish on earth. Unquestionably an impressive animal with raw power.
4.) Greenland Sharks
Although they can be almost as big as a great white, the Greenland shark has a maximum speed of 1.7 miles per hour. This is due to the fact that most of them are almost blind, and they are content eating carcasses instead of hunting down their prey. This species lives in the cold depths of the Arctic Ocean, which means humans rarely get graced with their presence. According to scientists from Fort Pierce, Florida, these lethargic fish are fairly common but they’re usually too deep for regular human encounters.
5.) Thresher Sharks
Thresher sharks look completely normal, until you catch a glimpse of that tail! Their tail can grow to be as long as half of the body length, which can be almost 20 feet. Can we get a tail flip? The shark uses its tail as a weapon to stun fish as it swims through a school, then it scoops up the stunned fish during its victory lap. These sharks can be found all over the world and are a menace to schools everywhere!