Being wary of sharks isn't silly; they are predators, and rarely want to interact with humans. But they are also some of the most fascinating creatures in the world, and no vacation would be complete without at least a little knowledge on what species of sharks inhabit the ocean you're currently sitting by! For those on their way to the Caribbean, here is a primer of some of the sharks that call the tropics around the Dominican home.
Everyone knows that sharks can probably out-swim you. But the shortfin mako shark does more than that; it is thought that the shark can swim up to 62 mph if required, and it has been registered at a hardy 46 mph; making it (as far as we know) the quickest shark alive. They can leap 30 feet or higher out of the water, and have been known to land on fishing boats after accidentally being hooked! Other sharks, bony fish, squid and octopi are the Shortfin makos favorite diet. They have a very useful circulatory system that relies on heat exchange, which allows the shark to be roughly 10 degrees F warmer than the water around it. With this system, the makos can maintain a high, stable level of activity over a longer time. They have huge black eyes and razor-sharp teeth. While they rarely (if ever) attack humans, it goes without saying that these impressive creatures are best viewed from a respectable distance!
The gulper shark is a type of dogfish. They search the deep waters of the Caribbean for the small fish and invertebrates that they call lunch. Their deep water existence results in their absolutely gigantic green eyes, which help them see in the murky dark. Gulpers are long, slender fish, with long snouts and two small dorsal fins which carry long spines. They can live to be 30 or older; like many sharks, they are ovoviviparous, meaning that their young hatch and gestate internally and are born live. Gulpers are known for having an exceptionally lengthy gestation period: females carry their egg (they only have one pup per litter) for two years.
When you think of sharks hunting, you probably think of Great Whites; after all, we've all seen Jaws. Another good contender is the Silk Shark; it is a sleek, inquisitive, relentless hunter with low-set eyes near its 15 rows of teeth. The silky shark gets its name from the smoothness of its skin, which is highly prized. It is most often found in the warm tropical waters nearer to land, as it is easier to hunt in that environment. Silky sharks are one of the most common pelagic species in the ocean, and one of the most numerous large sea creatures in the world; it's estimated that it has a population in the tens of millions. An opportunistic predator, it eats eels, catfish, swimming crabs, and bony fishes. Its formidable size makes some people nervous, but there has never been a fatal silky shark attack on a human. A distance is naturally preferred.
