Caribbean Roughshark

Oxynotus caribbaeus

The Caribbean Roughshark is a small species of shark that grows to a maximum length of about 1.5ft. Proof that not all sharks are gigantic terrifying man-eaters for
sure!

Caribbean Roughsharks hail from the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, and they tend to live at depths of between 1400 and 1600 feet-- so no where near the surface! They have blunt noses, two dorsal fins, and no anal fin. They also have really unusual coloration-- darker grey or brown over most of their body, but light grey on the fins and head, with dark blotches.

Because they live at those depths, they aren't studied a whole lot. We do know that they are slow moving predators, and they feed on small invertebrates and fish.

These Sharks are most commonly seen when they get caught up in fighting nets. They show up occasionally as bycatch for bottom trawls.

---

IUCN Status : Data Deficient
Location : Caribbean
Size : Body Length up to 20in (50cm)
Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Chondrichthyes -- Order : Squaliformes
Family : Oxynotidae -- Genus : Oxynotus -- Species : O. caribbaeus
Image : http://perso.wanadoo.es/escualostk/clas_escuali.htm

Read More

Porbeagle

Lamna nasus

The Porbeagle is a large shark that is found in the cooler and temperate waters of the world's oceans. They can grow to lengths of around 12ft, and weigh over 500lbs!

The name "Porbeagle" is a mysterious one. It's exact origins are unknown, though there are a few theories. One is that the name comes from Cornish terms for "harbor" and "shepherd." Another is that it is a combination of the words "porpoise" and "beagle," because of its porpoise like shape and dog-like hunting ability.

Like many large sharks, the Porbeagles give birth to live young. They have up to 6 at a time, which take 8-9 months to gestate. At birth the young sharks are already more than 2ft long! Also like other members of their family, Porbeagles are effectively warm-blooded. They have vascular counter-current heat exchangers in their muscles which allow them to store up all the heat that they generate through fast swimming. They can make their bodies warmer than the surrounding water, which is why they can live in such cold areas.

Porbeagles are actually listed as Vulnerable, and some local populations are Endangered. They have been hunted commercially for their meat and fins in a number of countries, and because they take so long to grow it is difficult for them to quickly repopulate. Also, even though they are very large, Porbeagle attacks on humans are very, very rare.

---

IUCN Status : Vulnerable
Location : Temperate and Cold Oceans
Size : Body length up to 12ft (3.7m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Chondrichthyes -- Order : Lamniformes
Family : Lamnidae -- Genus : Lamna -- Species : L. nasus
Image : Citron

Read More

Hybodontiformes

Hybodus fraasi (one of the many Hybodontiformes)

The Hybodontiformes Order is a sister group to the one that contains all of our modern Sharks, Rays, and Skates. It was first identified back in 1846, and since then species from five different Families have been uncovered.

These prehistoric sharks were successful for a very, very long time-- they lasted nearly 200 million years and went extinct at the same time as the Dinosaurs-- 65 million years ago.

There have been numerous species discovered within this order, and fossils have been found in places like China and Brazil. Interestingly, these animals lives in both saltwater and freshwater. Unfortunately, that freshwater adaptation didn't save them from going extinct, and they began their decline during the cretaceous period.

---

Status : Extinct for 65 million years
Location : Worldwide

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Chondrichthyes -- Subclass : Elasmobranchii
Order : †Hybodontiformes

Image : Haplochromis

Read More

Lissodus

Lissodus

Normally when one thinks of prehistoric sharks, they imagine gigantic sea dwelling monsters like Megalodon-- huge beasts with jaws the size of human beings that could devour anything and everything.

Today's animal breaks that stereotype. Lissodus was an entire genus of Sharks that lived on this planet for over 100 million years, spanning from the Triassic into the late cretaceous. They swam not in the oceans, but in fresh water, and their fossils have been found all over the world. So far there have been ten different species identified.

Other differences between these sharks and their giant counsins? Lissodus was tiny. Especially compared to some of the super sharks. These guys measured only 6in long! They also had very interesting teeth, which they used for a specialized diet. Lissodus had flat teeth that allowed it to crush and eat clams.

---

Status : Extinct for 100 million years
Location : Worldwide
Size : Length up to 6in (14cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Chondrichthyes -- Order : † Hybodontiformes
Family : Lonchidiidae -- Genus : Lissodus

Read More

Crocodile Shark

Pseudocarcharias kamoharai

Our final Shark of the week is the Crocodile Shark, a small Mackerel Shark  that can be found in tropical  oceans all around the world. They are the smallest members of their Order, which also contains giants like the Great White and Megamouth Sharks.

Crocodile Sharks grow to lengths of up to 3ft, and can be identified by their slender bodies, large eyes, long gill slits and small dorsal fin. Their large eyes help them to hunt at night, and they also posses a very large liver (up to 1/5 their entire body weight) that helps them to maintain a very neutral buoyancy. The species undergoes daily migrations, moving from deep waters during the day to more shallow hunting grounds at night.

Crocodile Sharks are another one of those interesting Ovoviviparous species. And even more intriguing is that they have litters of 4 pups... two in each uterus. This is a trait not especially common in sharks-- most others have only one pup per uterus.

Because of their small size, Crocodile Sharks are not generally considered dangerous to humans. Man-made structures however? That's a while different story! Back in 1985 AT&T laid down the first deep sea fiber optic cable. The cable was shorting out, and expensive repairs were needed to fix it. Turns out that a bunch of Crocodile Sharks were attracted to the new installation and were biting it!

---

IUCN Status : Near Threatened
Location : Tropical Oceans Worldwide
Size : Length up to 3.3ft (1m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Chondrichthyes -- Order : Lamniformes
Family : Pseudocarchariidae -- Genus : Pseudocarcharias-- Species : P. kamoharai

Read More

Greenland Shark

Somniosus microcephalus

Today's Shark is one of my all time favorites-- they are just so unique! Greenland Sharks live farther north than any other Shark species in existence, swimming in the cold waters of Greenland, Iceland, and the North Atlantic. They can also grow to lengths over 20ft, allowing them to rival the Great White in size.

Greenland Sharks are such unusual creatures. While many other Sharks species are quick moving, these icy giants swim very very slowly (only around 1mph!). They also spend a great deal of time not moving at all-- another name for these guys is "Sleeper Shark" since they are so frequently inactive.

Don't let their slowness fool you! Greenland Sharks are still predators! They feed primarily on fish, but are also able to snatch up unsuspecting sea mammals as well. Horse, Polar Bear, and Reindeer remains have all been found in Greenland Shark stomachs, though how much of that was carrion is not quite known.

Greenland Sharks are solitary, but that doesn't mean that they are alone! They have a really bizarre relationship with a tiny crustacean known as Ommatokoita elongata. These copepods feed on the Sharks' eyes. The Sharks have impaired vision, since their corneal tissue is being gobbled up, but they don't use their eyesight all that much anyway. Besides, the partnership isn't completely one-sided. The parasites are bioluminescent, a trait that helps the Sharks to attract food!

The lifespan of the Greenland Shark is still a bit mysterious. Know one really knows how long they can live or when they reach maturity, but we do know that they grow very slow. A tagged Shark was re-captured 16 years after its original identification, and had only grown 8cm in that time-span (from 2.62m to 2.7m).

And before I leave you with a video of one of these guys, one final fact-- Greenland Shark skin is toxic! But that doesn't keep people from eating it. The skin is considered a delicacy in Greenland and Iceland, and must be repeatedly boiled in order to be safe for consumption.

---

IUCN Status : Near Threatened
Location : North Atlantic
Size : Length up to 21ft (6.4m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Chondrichthyes -- Order : Squaliformes
Family : Somniosidae -- Genus : Somniosus -- Species : S. microcephalus

Read More

Cladoselache

Cladoselache species

Today's Shark is the largest one that we have talked about so far, and it is also the oldest. Cladoselache is the name of a genus containing eight different Shark species, all of which lived during the Devonian Period, around 370 million years ago.

Sharks have been around for hundreds of millions of years, and the Cladoselache Sharks are some of the best known of the ancient species. This is because many of their fossils were very well preserved in a formation near Lake Erie. Some of these fossils are so detailed that we know their stomach contents!

These extinct sea creatures are interesting not only because they lived a very, very long time ago, but also because they had some interesting anatomical features. For one, they almost completely lacked scales. The only scales it had were found on the tips of the fins, and around the mouth and eyes. Secondly, these Sharks lacked "claspers"-- the reproductive organs that are found not only in modern sharks, but in many other ancient species as well. Scientists are still unsure how they specifically reproduced. Finally, the Cladoselache Sharks had smooth, blunt teeth. Rather than tear apart their prey, they grasped it and swallowed it whole.

Cladoselache Sharks were probably very fast and agile, based on their body shape, dorsal fins, and large tail fin. They were high speed predators who also needed to be quick in order to avoid becoming prey themselves. Sharks weren't the only large predators swimming the seas-- this was the time of the 30ft Dunkleosteus as well!

There are no close relatives of the Cladoselache Sharks left today. All other genera within the family are extinct, and that family was the only one within the entire order.

---

Status : Extinct for around 370 million years
Location : North America
Size : Length up to 6ft (1.8m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Chondrichthyes -- Order : †Cladoselachiformes
Family : †Cladoselachidae -- Genus : †Cladoselache

Read More

Horn Shark

Heterodontus francisci

Today's Shark is a very interesting looking species-- it has a very blunt head, prominent ridges over its eyes, two tall dorsal fins with spines, and a sandy colored body covered in dark spots. It also happens to be on the smaller side, though not as small as yesterday's Shark. Horn Sharks can reach lengths of around 3ft.

You can find Horn Sharks swimming off of the western coast of North America, in a range that extends from Monterey to Baja. As juveniles they live in deeper sandy flats, and as adults they move closer to shore, swimming near reefs as shallow as 2m!

The adult Horn Sharks have small ranges, and actually return to the same shelter after each night of hunting (they are nocturnal). They feed in small fish and a large variety of benthic invertebrates, including squid, crabs, and sea urchins. Interestingly, Horn Sharks aren't the greatest swimmers, and are quite slow and clumsy. They often use their large pectoral fins to pull themselves along.

Horn Sharks are one of those cool Shark species that shows some sort of care towards their offspring. After mating takes place in December or January, the female will spend 2-3 months laying her eggs two at a time (layings are spaced 11-14 days apart). Each egg measures 4-5in long, is conical in shape and has spiraled flanges around it. The females will take the eggs and wedge them into crevices so that they are protected from predators (other sharks will often just lay their eggs and leave). The eggs take 6-9 months to hatch.

Horns Sharks are not normally dangerous to humans, though bites have happened due to harassment. The Sharks are kept and bred in captivity, and are sometimes hunted for their spines (which are made into jewelry).

---

IUCN Status : Data Deficient
Location : Western North America
Size : Length up to 3.3ft (1m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Chondrichthyes -- Order : Heterodontiformes
Family : Heterodontidae -- Genus : Heterodontus -- Species : H. francisci

Read More

Dwarf Lanternshark

Etmopterus perryi

The 25th Annual Shark Week starts today, so obviously we need to learn about a Shark! Sharks have been very popular on Animal A Day, and we've learned about loads of them in the past (a full list can be found here). But we haven't yet talked about the smallest of all the sharks-- the Dwarf Lanternshark.

Dwarf Lantersharks reach mature lengths of around 7in, and pregnant females can grow a small bit larger, topping out around 8in. They are an ovoviviparous species, and give birth to 2-3 pups at a time.

Not only are these Sharks very small, but they are also quite mysterious. They have only been found in a small section of the Caribbean, off the coat of Colombia and Venezuela. They swim at depths of between 900-1,400ft (274-426m), and are rarely caught or observed.

So little is known about the biology and population size of these tiny sharks that they are listed as "Data Deficient." They have no economic value in the fishing industry and there are no conservation measures being taken.

So unfortunately there isn't a whole plethora of information out there regarding this particular shark, but that's isn't all that surprising considering its small size and tiny range. Stay tuned for a few more sharks during the rest of the week!

---

IUCN Status : Data Deficient
Location : Caribbean
Size : Length up to 7in (18cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Chondrichthyes -- Order : Squaliformes
Family : Etmopteridae -- Genus : Etmopterus -- Species : E. perryi

Read More

Cookiecutter Shark

Isistius brasiliensis

Today's animal is no joke! Though they only grow to be about a foot and a half long, they can do some really amazing looking damage to much larger sea creatures! Cookiecutter Sharks get their name from their relatively unique jaws and what they do with them. They have large, powerful sucking lips, a row of narrow teeth on the top, and a row of much larger, knife-like teeth on the bottom. Like other sharks, they regularly replace their teeth. However, instead of losing a single bottom tooth at a time, they replace the entire row at once! Old teeth are swallowed, giving the Cookiecutters a good source of Calcium.

Cookiecutter Sharks attract their much larger prey using bioluminescent photophores (which grow bright green). The bigger sea creatures will go after the shark, but in a twist they will become the actual prey. The Cookiecutter will latch on with its mouth, spin its body around, and remove a perfectly circular chunk of flesh (just like a cookie cutter does to dough). Seals, Marlins, Tuna, Whales, and larger Sharks have all been found with these circular chunks taken out of them. Cookiecutters have even taken bites out of rubber domes in submarines!

Cookiecutter Sharks are found in tropical and temperate oceans all over the world, and they undergo daily migrations between shallow and deep water. During the day they can be found as far as 2-3 miles down, but during the day they move toward the surface in order to feed.

The question that I'm sure many of you are asking is "what about people? Do they bite people?" The answer to this (99.9%) no. There has only been one documented case ever of a Cookiecutter Shark biting a human, and that occurred in Hawaii in 2009. Before that only two other instances of bites were recorded, but both were incidents where a person died in the water and bitten post-mortem.

---

IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Temperate and Tropical Oceans Worldwide
Size : Length up to 22in (56cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Chondrichthyes -- Order : Squaliformes
Family : Dalatiidae -- Genus : Isistius -- Species : I. brasiliensis

Read More

Spotted Wobbegong

Orectolobus maculatus

If you look hard enough you'll be able to tell that today's animal, the Spotted Wobbegong, is actually just a very strange looking shark. In fact, all members of it's order are pretty goofy in appearance, and are collectively known as Carpet Sharks due to their mottled coloring and bottom-dwelling natures.

Spotted Wobbegongs in particular have a greenish/yellowish/brownish coloration, covered in small, lighter outlined circles. These colors help them to remain camouflaged within the reef zones that they live. These sharks have a range that spreads across the continental shelf in the Indian Ocean and parts of the Pacific, and they are rarely found deeper than 350ft (110m).

Crab, Lobster, and Octopus are three of the Spotted Wobbegongs favorite foods. They hunt at night, remaining very still and waiting for prey to come near. They do sometimes sneak up on their prey while hunting, but the wait-and-catch method is more common.

One additional cool fact about Spotted Wobbegongs is that they are one of those interesting animals that is Ovoviviparous. That means that their young are born alive, after incubating in eggs within their mother's bodies. The offspring are usually around 20cm at birth, and there can be over 30 born at a time!

Despite their size, Spotted Wobbegongs are not considered dangerous to humans. There have only been 16 confirmed bites, none were fatal, and in all but two of those the Shark was provoked.

---

IUCN Status : Near Threatenened
Location : Indian Ocean
Size : Length up to 10ft (3m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Chondrichthyes -- Order : Orectolobiformes
Family : Orectolobidae -- Genus : Orectolobus -- Species : O. maculatus

Read More

Shortfin Mako Shark

Isurus oxyrinchus

Yesterday we talked about the Viviparous Lizard, a reptile that gives birth to live young. Today's animal, the Shortfin Mako Shark, also gives birth to live young and are Ovoviviparous. This means that their young are incubated inside their bodies, but inside an egg sac, not a placenta. Once the eggs hatch, the offspring practice Oophagy while still in the uterus. This means that they consume all of the unfertilized or underdeveloped eggs. Gestation can last as long as 18 months, and as many as 18 pups can be born at a time!

Shortfin Mako Sharks also have the interesting distinction of being very, very fast. Their bodies are remarkable hydrodynamic, and they have been clocked at speeds of 31mph (50kph). Their is even some evidence that they can swim in fast bursts of 46mph (74kph)! They can also leap several feet into the air!

One biological feature that allows them to move so fast is their circulatory system. It allows their body to be several degrees warmer than the water that they swim in, which lets them be more active. (Great Whites have a similar system)

Fishing for both food and sport has caused this species to be listed as Vulnerable. They also do very poorly in captivity, and the longest one held only lasted a few days.

---

IUCN Status : Vulnerable
Location : Tropical Waters Worldwide
Size : Body Length up to 10ft (3.2m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Chondrichthyes -- Order : Lamniformes
Family : Lamnidae -- Genus : Isurus -- Species : I. oxyrinchus

Read More

Great Hammerhead Shark

Sphyrna mokarran

Great Hammerheads are one of the many species of Hammerhead shark. They also happen to be the largest, hence the name.

These Sharks have a massive range and can be found swimming in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. They also migrate seasonally, chasing the cooler waters during the summer months. Great Hammerheads live mostly near coasts, and are not typically found at depths of greater than 300m.

Unlike many of the other Hammerhead species, Great hammerheads are solitary hunters. Stingrays are their favorite prey, but they also feed on bony fish and Cephalopods. Cannibalism has also been documented, as have attacks on humans.

Interestingly, Great Hammerheads give birth to live young. After an 11 month gestational period, the female will give birth to as many as 40 pups!

Illegal fishing, both targeted and bycatch, has hurt Great Hammerhead numbers in some areas. They are currently listed as Endangered by the IUCN.

---

IUCN Status : Endangered

Location : Tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide

Size : Length up to 11.5ft (3.5m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Chondrichthyes -- Order : Carcharhiniformes
Family : Sphyrnidae -- Genus : Sphyrna -- Species : S. mokarran

Read More

Tiger Shark

Another year, another Shark Week. And as the yearly television festival of all things Shark draws to a close, we'll learn about one more of these awesome predators right here.

Galeocerdo cuvier

Tiger Sharks are one of the largest shark species, and can attain lengths of well over 10ft. They are found in tropical and subtropical oceans all around the world, but are not commonly seen.

The name given to these sharks derives from the banding pattern on their bodies. The coloring is more visible in juveniles, and fades as the sharks grow older.

Tiger Sharks are notorious scavengers and are incredibly opportunistic with their feeding. This has led them to be responsible for more attacks on humans than any shark but the Great White. Tiger Sharks are also not at all picky about what they eat (unlike the Great White), which makes them less likely to let go of their human victims and swim away.

New research also shows that Tiger Sharks take part in a practice called "Yo-Yo Diving." For a while scientists believed that this movement up and down water columns was to conserve energy, but new evidence is pointing to a different motivation: better foraging for food.

---

IUCN Status : Near Threatened

Location : Tropical and Subtropical Oceans Worldwide

Size : Body Length around 14ft (4.3m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Chondrichthyes -- Order : Carcharhiniformes
Family : Carcharhinidae -- Genus : Galeocerdo -- Species : G. cuvier

Read More

Nursehound

Scyliorhinus stellaris

The Nursehound is a type of shark known as a "Catshark." Also sometimes confusingly known as Dogfish, the Catsharks are characterized by elongated eyes and dorsal fins that are set far back toward the tail. Nursehounds are one of the larger Catsharks, and can be found in the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean.

Molluscs and Crustaceans are favorites meals of the Nursehound, though they do feed on fish and even smaller Catsharks as well. They are a primarily nocturnal species, and spend the days hiding out in holes and rocks.

Like most Catsharks, the Nursehound in an oviparous species. They lay two eggs at a time, but can produce up to 100 each year. Did you know that it takes nearly nine months for a Nursehound egg to hatch?

Nursehounds are currently listed as Near Threatened, with their populations at risk due to habitat degradation and overfishing.

---

IUCN Status :  Near Threatened

Location : Coastal Northeast Atlantic Ocean waters

Size : Length up to 5ft (1.5m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Chondrichthyes -- Order : Carcharhiniformes
Family : Scyliorhinidae -- Genus : Scyliorhinus -- Species : S. stellaris

Read More

Bull Shark

Bull Shark

Phylum : Chordate
Class : Chondrichthyes
Order : Carcharhiniformes
Family : Carcharhinidae
Genus : Carcharhinus
Species : C. leucas

Length : 10ft (3m)
Weight : 500lbs (226kg)

IUCN Status : Near Threatened

The Bull Shark gets its name from its short snout and aggressive attitude, which, combined with its toleration of fresh and brackish water, makes it one of the most dangerous sharks in the entire world.

Bull Sharks have a widespread coastal range, and can be found off the coast of just about every continent except Antarctica. What is so amazing is that they are also found inland. Bull Sharks have be observed swimming up rivers and estuaries, and are even known to breed in freshwater. They have even been seen leaping up rapids to move further inland! There have also been a handful of shark attacks by these predators while several miles from the ocean.

Bull Sharks give birth to between one and thirteen live young, and they reach sexual maturity at 8-10 years old. They are solitary animals, and are opportunistic feeders that will consume just about anything they can find. Pieces of Hippopotamus have even been found in Bull Shark stomachs!

Read More

Nurse Shark

Nurse Shark

Phylum : Chordata
Class : Chondrichthyes
Order : Orectolobiformes
Family : Ginglymostomatidae
Genus : Ginglymostoma
Species : cirratum

Length : 7.5-10ft (2.2-3m)
Weight : 200-325lbs (90-150g)

IUCN Status : Data Deficient

The origin of the Nurse Shark's name is a bit shrouded in mystery. It might be a derivation of "Nusse," which is a name given to different types of "Catshark." It might also be taken from the Old-English Hurse, which refers to sea-floor dwelling sharks. It also might refer to the sucking sound that the sharks make while hunting.

If those possible name origins didn't already give it away, the Nurse Shark is a bottom dwelling shark that has catfish-like whiskers. They can be found in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, in warm tropical and subtropical coastal water.

Nurse Sharks are not harmful to humans, even though they can get quite large. The prefer to feed on bottom-dwelling invertebrates like shrimp, snails, and octopuses, as well as fish. They have small mouths but amazingly fast and strong suction power, and strong jaws that allow them to crush shells with ease.

Nurse Sharks are ovoviviparous, and give birth to 20-30 young at a time.

Read More

Frilled Shark

(Image Source)

Phylum : Chordata
Class : Chondrichthyes
Order : Hexanchiformes
Family : Chlamydoselachidae
Genus : Chlamydoselachus
Species : anguineus

Length : Male 38-46in (97-117cm); Female 53-59in (135-150cm)

IUCN Status : Near Threatened

Frilled Sharks are elusive, deep sea sharks that were first observed on camera in their natural habitat back in 2004. Prior to that, they had only been seen after being caught in trawls (and even these was a very rare occurrences). Frilled Sharks can be found in oceans worldwide, though the distribution is patchy. The North Sea, areas around South Africa, and waters near Japan are some of the confirmed locations for the species. They live at depths of 500-1,000m, though are sometimes observed in shallower waters.

Frilled Sharks have some pretty interesting anatomy. They are so named because of the "frills" that cover their six gill slits on each side. They have very eel-like bodies, and mouths filled with 300 trident-shaped teeth arranged into 25 rows. It is believed that they strike at prey in a snakish manner, and around 60% of their diet consists of deep-sea squid.

Frilled Sharks also have some pretty remarkable reproductive habits. They are, like many sharks, ovoviviparous. The litter size is quite small, rarely numbering over 12, and at birth the offspring can be as large as 60cm. The really interesting thing is that some scientists believe that their gestation period lasts for 3.5 years. That is almost twice as long as an elephant's. If correct, the Frilled Shark has the longest gestation period of any vertebrate species.

Read More

The New Jersey Man Eater

The New Jersey Man Eater might be a single shark, or it might be many different sharks. Either way, they were responsible for five attacks between July 1st and 12th, 1916.  These attacks resulted in four deaths and one injury.

Summer at the Jersey Shore in 1916 was a hot one, with temperatures hitting over ninety degrees, forcing droves of people to to the cool ocean waters. On July 1st, Charles Van Sant, a 23-year-old on vacation from Philadelphia, went for a swim, going out about one hundred yards. Other swimmers saw a shadow approaching and called ou in warning, but Van Sant was unable to hear them. When he was about 50 feet fromt he shore, something grabbed at his legs, which caught the notice of Alexander Ott, a former Olympic swimmer. Ott dove out to help Van Sant, and carried him back to the shore, but it was too late for the young man. Both of his legs were badly mangled and he died on the shore. This was the first reported Shark Attack in New Jersey history.

July 6th, 1916. Charles Bruder, a 27-year-old bellboy, goes for a swim on his day off. A woman on shores shouts that a man is in distress, but by the time rescuers make it out to him there was nearly nothing left from the waist down. The death of Bruder is the true beginning of the panic. Some communities install wire nets, others patrol the shore in boats with shotguns. But little did they know that the remaining three attacks would take place in a body of water they least expected.

Bull Shark (Image Source

Wednesday, July 12th. Lester Stillwell, an 11-year-old boy, decides to go for a swim with friends in Matawan Creek, sixteen miles inland. The boys see a fin and scramble out of the water. Stillwell doesn't make it and is pulled under. The boys run into town, seeking help. Watson Stanley FIsher,a  24-year-old business owner, is one of those who answer the call. He dives into the creek, looking for Stillwell's body. He too is attacked. Fisher is rushed to the hospital, but dies from shock and loss of blood a few hours later. A half mile and 30 minutes after the Fisher/Stillwell attack, 14-year-old Joseph Dunn is also hit. His brothers and friends play tug-of-war with the shark, who eventually lets go. Dunn survives with the loss of his leg.

After the attack on Dunn the New Jersey Man Eater seemed to be at rest. On July 14th, an 8.5 foot White Shark was caught a few miles from Matawan Creek. Human bones were found in its stomach that matched the size of the victims. Everyone believed that this was the Man Eater, but six days after the attacks, a 7 foot Bull Shark was caught in the creek itself. Numerous studies have been done on the identity of the shark that caused so much terror. Many have been skeptical that the White Shark was  responsible; they are rare in New Jersey waters and almost never travel inland to brackish waters. Bull Sharks, on the other hand, have been known to travel upstream, and are far more common to the New Jersey area.

It is also likely the the attacks were caused by more than one animal, perhaps by sharks to separate species. We will probably never know for sure what caused these attacks, which were an incredibly rare occurance. The summer of 1916 attacks inspired several studies, books, and documentaries, including a 2009 Shark Week special titled Blood in the Water.

Read More

Basking Shark

We've learned about the world's largest shark, so now lets move on to number two! Basking Sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) can be found in arctic and temperate coastal areas around the world. They are extremely migratory, following the plankton supply during the seasons, and can grow over 12m in length.

Image Source

That's right. Plankton. Like Whale Sharks, Basking Sharks feed off of tiny little creatures, rather than hunting and consuming larger prey as many of sharks do. They swim around with their large mouths open, ingesting whatever finds its way in. They then close their mouth and trap all of the food with help from gill rakers. All of the excess water is then expelled through their gills. They do have many teeth, but they are small and largely unused. Basking Sharks give birth to live young, making them ovoviviparous.

Unfortunately, Basking Shark populations declined dramatically in the 20th century, due to overfishing. These Shrkas have extremely large livers that make up 25% of their overall weight. The livers are vitamin rich and contain oil that is a major motivation for hunting. The species is currently considered Vulnerable, and are unfortunately still being hunted illegally. Basking Sharks are not dangerous to humans.

Read More