Not all sharks are the same! Some are more aggressive than others, and they come in all sizes and shapes.
Familiarize yourself with the sharks that inhabit our waters year round. Here are seven of the most common shark species in Florida.
Blacktip shark: This is a fast-swimming shark, common in Florida waters, that can reach 6 feet in length. It is one of the more aggressive species and has been implicated in numerous attacks on humans
Bonnethead shark. As the name suggests, this shark’s head is similar to a hammerhead’s but more rounded, like a spade or bonnet. It reaches 3.5 feet maximum and is harmless to humans.
Lemon shark: These sharks hang out close to the shore and sometimes enter estuaries and rivers. They can reach 10.5 feet and rarely attack people.
Great hammerhead shark. Reaching up to 18 feet in length, this shark, easily identified by its hammer-shaped head, is considered dangerous.
Bull shark: This is a common apex predator that can grow to 6.5 feet in length. It is one of the few shark species that may inhabit freshwater, and venture hundreds of miles inland via coastal river systems. The bull shark is dangerous, accounting for the third highest number of attacks on humans.
Tiger shark This shark can grow to up to 18 feet and is common in a variety of habitats including river mouths, shallow bays, and open ocean. Tiger sharks are second only to the Great White shark in the number of attacks on humans worldwide.
Nurse shark: This shark is often seen lying motionless on the bottom of the ocean floor, near coral reefs, rocks, and mangrove islands. It can reach up to 9 feet and has been involved in very few attacks on humans, most of which were provoked.
