The fear of the most ferocious sharks in the deep ocean has become more widespread after movies like Jaws and The Meg became popular worldwide. According to statistics, only a small portion of the 500 shark species is considered to be highly aggressive. In this article, we will compile a list of the seven most dangerous and ferocious shark species in the world for you to reference. We invite you to read on!
The top seven most dangerous and aggressive shark species in the world have been compiled through researching various sources. Specifically:
1. Great White Shark
The Great White Shark is known as the most dangerous shark in the world. According to statistics, there have been 333 attacks by Great White Sharks on humans, resulting in 52 deaths. Movies and TV shows often portray this shark species as vicious and aggressive
Around the world, the Great White Shark is one of the leading causes of over 100 shark attacks on humans each year, accounting for roughly half of these incidents, although not all of these attacks are fatal.
Scientists have noted that when a Great White Shark detects a person swimming or surfing from below the surface of the ocean, they often cannot distinguish clearly between humans and their favorite prey, seals.
Therefore, humans are not usually the intended target of Great White Sharks. However, they are still carnivorous predators and their main prey includes: crabs, sea lions, dolphins, and seals.
Great White Sharks can swim at speeds of around 25 miles per hour. The largest Great White Shark can measure up to about 20 feet long and weigh between 1,500 to 4,000 pounds. The largest recorded Great White Shark to date is estimated to have weighed up to 5,000 pounds!
2. Tiger Shark
The reason they are called Tiger Shark is because of the stripes on their body. The stripes on their body are usually dark when they are young and become more faded as they mature. The size of a Tiger Shark can range from 10 to 14 feet, with most females being larger than males. Large female Tiger Sharks can weigh over 2,000 pounds.
The Tiger Shark hunts mainly at night and near the shore to find food. Their prey consists of various animals such as fish, birds, sea turtles, sea snakes, dolphins, squids, and many other diverse crustaceans.
The teeth of the Tiger Shark are usually sharp and pointed in many directions. This is their sharp weapon that helps them gain an advantage over their prey, as their teeth can easily cut through shells and bones. Like many shark species, the rows of teeth in tiger sharks are not replaced throughout their lives.
So far, Tiger Sharks have been reported to have attacked 131 people, with 34 fatalities.
3. White-eyed Bull Shark
The White-eyed Bull Shark is primarily found off the Eastern Coast and Gulf of Mexico in the US. This species is extremely aggressive and can sometimes be found in freshwater, where they may come into contact with humans more frequently.
Male and female White-eyed Bull Sharks have a marked difference in size. While males can reach a maximum length of about 7 feet, females can grow up to 11 feet in length. Adult white sharks can weigh from 200 to 500 pounds.
The White-eyed Bull Shark typically feeds on a variety of prey including fish, small sharks, sea turtles, seabirds, rays, and dolphins. Their jaw strength is truly impressive with a bite force that can reach up to 6,000 newtons or about 1,300 pounds of force (humans have a bite force of 247 to 292 pounds). This aggression is why this species is ranked 3rd on the list of the world’s most dangerous shark species.
White-eyed Bull Shark do not usually eat humans, and if they do attack humans, they often let go after realizing that it is not their preferred prey. According to statistics, the aggression of White-eyed Bull Shark has resulted in 117 attacks on humans to date, and 25 of those attacks have been fatal.
4. Blacktip Shark
The Blacktip Shark is commonly found year-round in the Gulf of Mexico and in the coastal waters from Virginia to Florida in the United States, as well as in many other places around the world. The pectoral fins, dorsal fin, and tail fin of this shark species are typically black in color.
The Blacktip Sharks are among the few shark species that leap out of the water when hunting for food. Their preferred prey includes small fish, small sharks, squid, shrimp, crabs, and more.
The Blacktip Sharks prefer to live in shallow and brackish waters. They are around 5 feet long and have an average weight of 55 pounds. Although their size may be smaller compared to other shark species, their attacking ability is still considered formidable.
When feeling threatened, they typically react by:
- Swimming straight towards the source of threat.
- Suddenly turning and swimming laterally to one side.
- Lowering their pectoral fins.
- Tilting their head and tail upwards.
- Turning their body and biting the opponent.
The entire attack process of the Blacktip Sharks can occur within 30 seconds. To date, The Blacktip Sharks have been recorded with 41 attacks on humans, but fortunately, there have been no fatalities.
5. Sand Tiger Shark
The Sand Tiger Shark, also known as gray nurse shark or ragged-tooth shark, is often found near the ocean floor. The name of this species often comes from the fact that they migrate along the coastline and are often discovered by surfers. They prefer to live in warm waters around the world.
According to current statistics, there are two species of sand sharks, including the small tooth Sand Tiger Shark and the big-eyed Sand Tiger Shark. Small tooth Sand Tiger Sharks typically have a length of about 15 feet and can weigh around 600 lbs.
The hunting habit of the Sand Tiger Shark is very unique. They often collect air in their stomach to help them float to the surface of the water. This buoyancy allows the tiger shark to sit still and approach prey without being detected.
Similarly to other shark species, the Sand Tiger Shark can detect the electric field created by their prey through electroreceptors in their snout. They primarily hunt at night, and their preferred prey includes small fish, squid, and some crustaceans.
Although listed among the most aggressive shark species in the world today, the Sand Tiger Shark does not usually attack humans. According to statistics, only about 36 people have been attacked by them and there have been no fatalities.
6. Hammerhead Shark
When it comes to aggressive shark species, the Hammerhead Shark cannot be left out of the list. Currently, there are about 9 different species of Hammerhead Sharks in the world, with the largest being the great Hammerhead Shark. This type of shark is characterized by its small mouth, eyes located on either side of its head, and its distinctive head shape resembling that of a giant hammer.
The Hammerhead Shark’s main diet consists of stingrays, sea catfish, crabs, groupers, squid, and smaller sharks.
Hammerhead Sharks are commonly found in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coast of Florida in the United States. They can grow up to an average length of about 15ft. Sometimes, these sharks can reach up to 20 ft in length and weigh over 500 pounds.
When hunting for prey, Hammerhead Sharks gently move their heads back and forth on the ocean floor to detect the electrical signals of their favorite prey, the stingray. After using their strength to stun the prey, the Hammerhead Shark then uses its head to pin the prey to the ocean floor and consume it as a meal.
Although the Hammerhead Shark is considered the most dangerous among the 9 species of Hammerhead Sharks, humans are not their primary prey. According to statistics, there have been a total of 16 shark attacks caused by Hammerhead Sharks on humans and none of these cases have been fatal.
7. Shortfin Mako Shark
Shortfin Mako Shark is also one of the top most feared and aggressive shark species in the world. They are known for their intimidating appearance, with a sharply pointed snout, large black eyes, and prominent short fin. The average length of this shark can reach up to 10 feet, and their weight can reach up to 300 pounds.
The Shortfin Mako Shark commonly uses its sense of smell, hearing, and vision when hunting for prey. Its main food sources include swordfish, tuna, sea turtles, various marine mammals, and even smaller sharks.
The shortfin Mako shark primarily hunts by diving down beneath its prey and looking up to avoid being seen or detected. This species of shark has been recorded with the strongest bite force of any shark, measuring around 3,000 pounds and 13,000 Newtons. Most preys do not survive a Shortfin Mako Shark’s powerful bite. The Shortfin Mako Shark’s bite is ranked as the second strongest in the world, only behind that of a crocodile. According to statistics, there have been only 9 reported cases of Shortfin Mako Shark attacks on humans, one of which resulted in a fatality.
In summary, the article above has compiled a list of the seven most dangerous and ferocious shark species on the planet. It is hoped that this knowledge will be useful for readers. To discover more about the fascinating world of the ocean, please visit our website!