Top 15 Shark Species in Florida

Florida is home to more than 40 shark species, but most are not considered a threat to people. In fact, shark bites are incredibly rare.

We’ll explore their characteristics, habitats, and behaviors to help you better understand these fascinating creatures and appreciate their critical role in Florida’s unique marine ecosystem.

Whether you’re a seasoned shark enthusiast or simply curious about these captivating creatures, read on to learn more about the different shark species that call Florida home.

What sharks live in Florida’s waters?

Florida’s waters are inhabited by several shark species. Some wander near the shorelines and others explore the deep waters. Below, you’ll find information on some of the most common species of sharks.

1) Bull Sharks

The bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) is a species of shark that can be found in the warm waters off Florida’s coasts.

These sharks are named for their stocky bodies, aggressive behavior, and blunt snouts, which give them a distinctive appearance.

Bull sharks typically grow to be about 7-11 feet in length and can weigh up to 500 pounds. They are known for their powerful jaws, which allow them to feed on a variety of prey including fish, dolphins, turtles, and even other sharks.

Bull sharks are also known to be one of the few shark species that can tolerate freshwater environments, which allows them to venture into rivers and estuaries.

Bull sharks are considered one of the most dangerous shark species due to their proximity to shorelines and their aggressive behavior.

They are responsible for the highest number of shark attacks on humans in Florida, making them a concern for beachgoers and swimmers.

However, it’s important to note that shark attacks are still relatively rare and often occur due to mistaken identity or provoked behavior.

By practicing responsible beach and water activities, such as avoiding swimming at dawn or dusk and avoiding areas where there are schools of fish, we can reduce the risk of shark encounters.

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2) Great Hammerhead Shark

The great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran) is a large and impressive species of shark that can be found in the warm waters off Florida’s coasts.

These sharks are named for their distinctive hammer-shaped heads, which can measure up to a third of their total body length.

Great hammerhead sharks are one of the largest species of hammerhead sharks, with adult individuals typically measuring between 10 and 14 feet in length and weighing up to 1,000 pounds.

They are known for their brownish-gray coloration, flat and wide bodies, and powerful jaws that allow them to feed on a variety of prey including fish, squid, octopus, and even other sharks.

Despite their size and strength, great hammerhead sharks are threatened by overfishing and habitat destruction.

They are considered a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to their slow reproductive rate and long gestation period.

Conservation efforts, such as regulations on fishing gear and protected areas, are being implemented to protect and preserve these important species in Florida’s waters. Great hammerhead sharks are also a popular species among recreational anglers, who appreciate their size and challenging fights.

However, it’s important to exercise responsible fishing practices and to release great hammerhead sharks back into the water unharmed.

3) Lemon Sharks

The lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris) is a species of shark that can be found in the warm waters off Florida’s coasts.

These sharks are named for their yellow-brown coloration and are part of the requiem shark family.

Lemon sharks typically grow to be about 8-10 feet in length and can weigh up to 400 pounds. They are known for their slender bodies, blunt snouts, and sharp teeth, which they use to feed on a variety of prey including fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods.

Lemon sharks are also popular among recreational anglers, who appreciate their strong and challenging fights.

However, it’s important to exercise responsible fishing practices and release lemon sharks into the water unharmed.

Like many other shark species, lemon sharks are threatened by overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change.

Conservation efforts, such as protected areas and regulations on fishing gear, are being implemented to protect and preserve these important species in Florida’s waters.

4) Tiger Sharks

The tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) is a large and powerful shark species found in the warm waters off Florida’s coasts.

The tiger shark is named for its distinctive stripes, which fade as the shark gets older, and for its reputation as a fierce predator.

Tiger sharks are one of the largest predatory sharks in the world, with adults growing to be up to 14 feet in length and weighing up to 1,400 pounds.

They are known for their broad, blunt heads, sharp teeth, and voracious appetites, which allow them to feed on a wide range of prey including fish, turtles, birds, and even other sharks.

While tiger sharks are not typically considered a significant threat to humans, they have been involved in a number of unprovoked attacks.

It’s important to exercise caution when swimming or surfing in areas where sharks are known to frequent, and to follow beach safety guidelines and warnings.

Tiger sharks are also caught by commercial and recreational fishermen for their meat and fins, and their populations have declined in some areas due to overfishing and habitat destruction.

Conservation efforts, such as catch limits and fishing regulations, are being implemented to protect and preserve these important species in Florida’s waters.

5) Scalloped Hammerhead

The scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) is a unique and fascinating shark species found in the warm, shallow waters of Florida’s coasts.

As the name suggests, the scalloped hammerhead has a distinctive hammer-shaped head, or “cephalofoil,” with a scalloped edge. This cephalofoil allows the shark to have a wider field of vision and better maneuverability, making it a skilled predator in the water.

Scalloped hammerheads typically grow to be about 10-12 feet in length and can weigh up to 500 pounds. They are usually gray or brown in color, with a lighter underside.

These sharks are known for their schooling behavior, and can often be found in large groups of up to several hundred individuals.

They usually eat squid, small sharks, and mackerel.

6) Silky Shark

The silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) is a species of shark that can be found in the warm waters off Florida’s coasts, as well as in other tropical and subtropical regions around the world.

These sharks are named for their smooth and silky skin, which has a distinctive metallic sheen.

Silky sharks typically grow to be about 8-10 feet in length and can weigh up to 500 pounds. They are known for their slender and streamlined bodies, as well as their pointed snouts and long, curved fins.

Silky sharks are opportunistic feeders, and will consume a wide variety of prey including fish, squid, and crustaceans.

Despite their important ecological role in Florida’s marine ecosystem, silky sharks are threatened by overfishing, particularly in commercial fishing operations.

They are a popular species among the shark fin trade, where their fins are removed for use in shark fin soup, a traditional delicacy in many cultures.

To protect and conserve silky sharks and other vulnerable shark species, regulations and policies are being implemented to limit the amount of shark fishing and protect their habitats.

Silky sharks are also a popular species among recreational anglers, who appreciate their size and strength.

However, it’s important to exercise responsible fishing practices and to release silky sharks back into the water unharmed.

Related: Check out this list of fish species that live in Florida’s freshwaters and the Atlantic ocean.

7) Bonnethead Shark

Bonnetheads are a type of hammerhead shark with a similar head shape but are, on average, smaller at 3 and 4 feet in length.

They prefer shallow water, so you may spot them close to shore. These sharks swim in zigzag patterns around the seafloor, looking for food. They mostly eat crabs, shrimp, and other small invertebrates.

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8) Blacktip Shark

The blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) is a common and easily recognizable shark species found in the waters off Florida’s coasts.

As the name suggests, the blacktip shark has black tips on its fins, contrasting with its gray or brown body coloration.

Blacktip sharks typically grow to be about 5-6 feet in length and can weigh up to 60-80 pounds. They are known for their agility and speed in the water, and are often seen jumping out of the water during feeding frenzies.

Despite their intimidating appearance, blacktip sharks are generally not considered a threat to humans. They primarily feed on small fish and crustaceans, and are not known to attack humans unprovoked.

However, it’s important to exercise caution when swimming or surfing in areas where sharks are known to frequent, and to follow beach safety guidelines and warnings.

Blacktip sharks are a popular game fish among recreational anglers, and are also caught for their meat and fins. However, overfishing and habitat destruction have led to a decline in blacktip shark populations in some areas.

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8) Blacknose Shark

The blacknose shark (Carcharhinus acronotus) is a small and docile shark species found in the warm waters of Florida’s Atlantic coast. The blacknose shark is named for the black coloration on the tip of its snout, which extends down to its lips.

Blacknose sharks typically grow to be about 4-5 feet in length and can weigh up to 40 pounds. They are known for their calm and non-aggressive behavior, and are often found in shallow waters near the coastline.

While blacknose sharks are not considered a significant threat to humans, they are still caught by commercial and recreational fishermen for their meat and fins. Unfortunately, overfishing and habitat destruction have led to a decline in blacknose shark populations in some areas.

Conservation efforts are underway to protect and preserve the blacknose shark and other shark species in Florida’s waters.

These efforts include catch limits, fishing regulations, monitoring programs to prevent overfishing, and public education and awareness campaigns to promote responsible fishing practices and shark conservation.

9) Sharpnose Shark

The sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) is a small species of shark that can be found in the warm waters off Florida’s coasts.

These sharks are named for their long, pointed snouts and are part of the requiem shark family.

Sharpnose sharks typically grow to be about 3-4 feet in length and can weigh up to 15 pounds. They are known for their slender bodies, gray-brown coloration, and sharp teeth, which they use to feed on a variety of prey including fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods.

While sharpnose sharks are not typically targeted by commercial fishermen, they are often caught as bycatch in other fisheries.

Conservation efforts, such as regulations on fishing gear and bycatch reduction programs, are being implemented to protect and preserve these important species in Florida’s waters.

Sharpnose sharks are also popular among recreational anglers, who appreciate their fast and challenging fights.

However, it’s important to exercise responsible fishing practices and to release sharpnose sharks back into the water unharmed.

10) Spinner Shark

The spinner shark (Carcharhinus brevipinna) is a species of shark that can be found in the warm waters off Florida’s coasts. These sharks are named for their impressive jumping and spinning behavior, which they use to catch prey and evade predators.

Spinner sharks typically grow 6-10 feet long and weigh up to 200 pounds.

They are known for their sleek bodies, long and pointed snouts, and sharp teeth, which they use to feed on prey, including fish, squid, and crustaceans.

Spinner sharks are also popular among anglers, who appreciate their acrobatic jumps and challenging fights.

However, it’s important to exercise responsible fishing practices and release spinner sharks into the water unharmed.

Like many other shark species, spinner sharks are threatened by overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change.

Conservation efforts, such as protected areas and regulations on fishing gear, are being implemented to protect and preserve these important species in Florida’s waters.

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11) Sandbar Shark

The sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) is a large and impressive shark species found in the warm waters off Florida’s coasts.

The sandbar shark is named for its preference for shallow sandy flats, where it can often be seen swimming close to the surface.

Sandbar sharks are typically gray or brown and can grow to be up to 8 feet long, weighing up to 200 pounds.

They are known for their stout and powerful bodies, making them formidable water predators.

Despite their size and strength, sandbar sharks are not generally considered a threat to humans. They primarily feed on fish and crustaceans, and are not known to attack humans unprovoked.

However, it’s important to exercise caution when swimming or surfing in areas where sharks are known to frequent, and to follow beach safety guidelines and warnings.

Sandbar sharks are a popular game fish among recreational anglers, and are also caught for their meat and fins. However, overfishing and habitat destruction have led to a decline in sandbar shark populations in some areas.

Conservation efforts, such as catch limits and fishing regulations, are being implemented to protect and preserve these important species in Florida’s waters.

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12) Dusky Shark

Dusky sharks are big, ocean predators that can grow up to 400 pounds. They are known for their powerful jaws and sharp teeth.

They are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, and make long seasonal migrations from the equator to the poles.

The Dusky Shark looks like the sandbar shark, but the sandbar shark has a smaller dorsal fin.

13) Nurse Shark

The nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) is a unique and fascinating shark species found in the warm waters off Florida’s coasts.

The nurse shark is named for its sluggish and slow-moving behavior, which resembles that of a nurse tending to patients.

Nurse sharks typically grow to be about 7-9 feet long and weigh 200-250 pounds. They are known for their distinctive appearance: a broad head, small eyes, and a long, cylindrical body shape.

Nurse sharks are generally not considered a significant threat to humans despite their large size. They primarily feed on small fish and crustaceans, and are not known to attack humans unprovoked.

However, it’s important to exercise caution when swimming or diving in areas where sharks are known to frequent, and to follow beach safety guidelines and warnings.

Nurse sharks are a popular species among scuba divers and snorkelers, who are fascinated by their unique appearance and docile behavior. However, nurse sharks are also caught by commercial and recreational fishermen for their meat, skin, and fins.

Conservation efforts, such as catch limits and fishing regulations, are being implemented to protect and preserve these important species in Florida’s waters.

By working together to promote responsible fishing practices and protect the habitats of nurse sharks and other marine species, we can help ensure a healthy and thriving ecosystem for future generations.

The nurse shark is a fascinating and important species that deserve our attention and protection, and by taking action to conserve these amazing creatures, we can help ensure a bright future for Florida’s marine ecosystem.

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14) Whale Shark

The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest living fish species in the world and can be found in the warm waters off Florida’s coasts. Despite its massive size, the whale shark is a gentle giant that feeds on plankton and small fish.

Whale sharks are the largest species inhabiting tropical waters and warm temperate seas worldwide. These large sharks can live 75 years, grow as large as 65 feet, and weigh over 10 tons.

They are known for their distinctive pattern of white spots and stripes on their backs, which are unique to each individual and can be used to identify them.

Whale sharks are popular among scuba divers and snorkelers, who are fascinated by their size and gentle nature.

However, it’s important to exercise caution when swimming or diving with whale sharks and to follow guidelines for responsible marine wildlife interaction.

While whale sharks are not typically targeted by commercial fishermen, they are still threatened by accidental entanglement in fishing gear and boat strikes.

Conservation efforts, such as protected areas and regulations on fishing gear, are being implemented to protect and preserve these important species in Florida’s waters.

15) Mako Shark

The mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) is a highly migratory species of shark that can be found in the warm waters off Florida’s coasts.

The mako shark is named for its exceptional speed and agility, which make it one of the fastest-swimming species of shark in the world.

Mako sharks typically grow to be about 6-10 feet in length and can weigh up to 1,000 pounds.

They are known for their long and pointed snouts, sharp teeth, and powerful tails, which allow them to swim at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour.

While mako sharks are not typically considered a threat to humans, they are still caught by commercial and recreational fishermen for their meat and fins.

Unfortunately, overfishing and habitat destruction have led to a decline in mako shark populations in some areas.

Conservation efforts, such as catch limits and fishing regulations, are being implemented to protect and preserve these important species in Florida’s waters.

Additionally, research is being conducted to better understand the biology and behavior of mako sharks, which can help inform conservation efforts and improve our understanding of these fascinating creatures.

By working together to promote responsible fishing practices and protect the habitats of mako sharks and other marine species, we can help ensure a healthy and thriving ecosystem for generations to come.

The mako shark is an incredible and important species that deserves our attention and protection, and by taking action to conserve these amazing creatures, we can help ensure a bright future for Florida’s marine ecosystem.

Are there great white sharks in Florida?

The great white shark has been spotted off the coast of Florida occasionally. With the help of OCEARCH, a non-profit marine group, researchers gather valuable information on how great white sharks navigate the ocean.

Because of their tracking devices, researchers can show that great white sharks swim relatively close to Florida’s beaches. Some of these sharks have been shown to swim as far south as the Florida Keys and as far north as Nova Scotia, Canada!

They are massive and mesmerizing sharks known to swim in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, and other offshore waters.

What beach in Florida has the most sharks?

New Smyrna Beach in Volusia County has been nicknamed the Shark Attack Capital of the World. This area of Florida has the most shark attacks annually, but they reportedly aren’t severe injuries (source). The tidal flow in the area brings more baitfish close to shore, ultimately attracting more sharks to the shallow Florida waters.