Credit: Illustration by Diane Rome Peebles
Family Carcharhinidae
Habitat
Common in Florida’s coastal waters, bays and estuaries. A
very active, fast-swimming shark often seen at the surface. Often forms large
schools during annual migration times. Migrates southward and into deeper
coastal waters during winter months. May leap out of the water and, like the
related spinner shark, spin around several times before dropping back into the
sea.
Feeding
Feeds primarily on fishes but also eat small sharks, some
rays and skates, squid, crabs, octopus, and lobster.
Reproduction
Gives birth to live young. Litters contain 1–10 pups.
Females swim into shallow bays in spring and early summer to give birth. Size at
birth 22–28 inches.
Size/Age
Maximum length about 6 feet. Matures at approximately 6–7
years of age(about 5 feet) and is estimated to live 10 + years.
Human factors
Valuable commercial species with marketable flesh,
hide, fins, and liver. One of the most commonly collected sharks in the
commercial fishery. Fished for sport on light tackle and often leap out of the
water when hooked. Has been implicated in attacks on bathers.
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