The Different Types of Shark (With Pictures)

Sharks have a reputation as fierce, mindless, killing machines -- primitive, efficient and perfectly suited to hunt in the oceans of our planet.

There is a lot of truth in this. Sharks have been around for a long while and haven't changed too much in the last few million years. The shark way of living and eating has been hugely successful, and major change has been unnecessary.

A major factor in this evolutionary success story is the array of senses that help sharks find their next meal. They can detect movements in the water at a great distance, they see well and have a great sense of smell. Some, especially hammerhead sharks, are expert at using the electricity all living things generate to work out what is happening nearby, even in total darkness.

A shark's streamlined shape and powerful musculature means these fish are fast too -- bad news if you are a tasty fish...

So, this page explores a group of fish that are both primeval and sophisticated, as well as fearsome and fascinating.

There are well over 400 types of sharks that are usually assigned to 8 separate groups. The scientific name is given in brackets.

• Mackerel Sharks (Lamniformes)
• Ground Sharks (Carcharhiniformes)
• Carpet Sharks (Orectolobiformes)
• Bullhead Sharks (Heterodontiformes)
• Angel Sharks (Squatiniformes)
• Saw Sharks (Pristiophoriformes)
• The group that includes Dogfish, Rough Sharks and Bramble Sharks (Squaliformes)
• A group of very primitive and rare sharks like the frilled Shark (Hexanchiformes)

There are 16 kinds of Mackerel Shark, in all and they can be found in both shallow seas and deep oceans. The two things that they all have in common are large mouths and the fact they give birth to live offspring (ovoviviparous reproduction). Many other kinds of sharks lay eggs.

This group includes the notorious Great White Shark (pictured above) that occasionally terrorizes surfers along ocean coasts. Mostly, though, it preys on seals, fish, and seabirds. It's oldest fossils are around 16 million years old, so it has been a very successful animal.

The largest present-day Mackerel Shark is the basking shark which grows up to 10 meters. It is a harmless animal that filters plankton (small animals and plants) from the water.

The largest shark to ever exist was a Mackerel Shark called Megalodon. It could swallow most whales in its huge mouth. There is a size comparison drawing to the right.

A little more on Mackerel Sharks: sharkzone.com/shark-orders/lamniformes

This group includes many sharks people are familiar with from movies and books. They are often reef dwellers and include the blue shark, tiger shark, grey reef shark and blacktip reef shark.

These reef shark all represent a moderate danger to swimmers and divers who are not familiar with shark habits and behavior.

There are oceanic sharks in this group too like the whitetip sharks. Whitetip sharks are just about the last animal you want to meet in open waters after a boat or plane wreck. They are slow moving but very aggressive and large enough to tackle any survivors.

The very distinctive hammerhead sharks are also ground sharks. Many species like to live along coastlines.

A good resource for Ground Sharks can be found here: sharksavers.org-ground-sharks.html?start=1

The carpet sharks include the largest known fish, the massive Whale Shark. This can be as long as 10 meters. Fortunately, it is a peaceful animal that filters tiny plants and animals from sea water as it swims along with its mouth wide open.

Other carpet sharks include the very beautiful Wobbegong, picured above, and popular in large aquariums.

More on the biology of carpet sharks: elasmo-research.org orectolobiformes.htm

This order is a group of sharks that have adapted to living off crustaceans, sea urchins and mollusks on reefs in warm oceans.

They have big heads and large brows. The groove that runs from nostrils to mouth makes them look surprisingly cow-like. They can seem clumsy and even comical when compared to other groups of sharks, but they are successful animals.

more here: sharksavers.org/en/education/-bullhead-sharks

This group has species that are flattened like rays or plaice. This is an ideal adaption for living on the bottom of the sea in sandy places. It is easy for a carpet shark to bury itself in sand and wait for a good meal to come along. Then, in a flash, the fish can throw off the sand and grab its prey.

The angel shark pictured above has a skin coloring that provides excellent camouflage. It would not even need to bury itself to be very hard to spot.

The Pacific Angel Shark (Squatina Californica) is a relatively common angel shark living around the kelp forests off the coast of California and eating small fish and squid. It is quite small but can give people a nasty bite if it feels threatened.

More on the Pacific Angel Shark here: flmnh.ufl.edu/pacificangelshark

These often have a long snout with plenty of teeth they can use to slash their prey. They can look like fish with a chainsaw attached to their head. Fortunately they are quite small- usually no more than a meter in length but sometimes close to 2 meters.

They eat small fish, squid, and crustaceans.

They are at home in the Pacific, the Atlantic, and the Indian Oceans. In cooler regions, they are found in shallow water. In warm water, they venture deeper.

An unusual feature is that they give birth to live young.

There is some additional information here: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/375935/Sawsharks.pdf

This includes the common but tiny lantern shark (right) that sports fishermen often catch. It usually grows to about 6 inches long.

The group also includes the Dogfish Sharks which are also common. There are some large species like the Greenland and Pacific sleeper sharks, which can grow to 8 meters in length.

In days gone by, sailors used small dogfish to scrub wooden decks clean. Sharks have very tough skin covered in tiny teeth-like structures called denticles. Apparently, they made excellent abrasive pads.

We hope no one abuses these creatures in this way, nowadays!

Bramble Sharks can grow up to 3 meters. Rough Sharks are generally smaller at less than two meters Both kinds of shark tend to live on the bottom of shallow seas and eat invertebrates.

More on Dogfish, Rough Sharks and Bramble Sharks: pbs.org/squaliformes.html

This is a primitive group that has been on this planet since the time of the dinosaurs. The group includes the Cow Sharks and the Frilled Shark.

The Frilled Shark in the video above may not look like the shark in Jaws but certainly has some attitude.

Modern fishing methods are now so effective that large areas of the sea can be swept clean of all fish life by a factory fishing vessel.

Most sharks are not fished for food but are often caught along with other fish. Some sharks are fished only for their fins (shark fins are used in soup in Chinese cooking).

Many kinds of sharks have become rare, and some are threatened with extinction. Find out more here: guardian.conservation.aaas