A Primer On Caribbean Sharks

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     Being afraid of sharks may not be a complete phobia; in fact, it's probably entirely reasonable. But you'll rarely run into a shark in real life, and their power is part of what makes them so fascinating to study. There are all sorts of different species all over the world; from the Dominican Republic to the Indian Ocean, there are varieties that will blow your mind. Here are a few interesting Caribbean sharks.

It's no surprise to most people that sharks can likely out-swim you. But the shortfin mako shark does more than that; it's quite possibly the fastest shark alive, clocked at an impressive 46 mph and theorized to be able to swim up to 62 mph if provoked. They can leap 30 feet or higher out of the water, and have been known to land on fishing boats after accidentally being hooked! Shortfin makos feed mainly on squid and octopuses, as well as bony fish and occasionally other sharks. 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. Razor-sharp teeth and large black eyes are their most notable features. 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 easier for it to hunt in the warm tropical waters that are close to shore, and that is where is is often found. Silky sharks are one of the most numerous large sea creatures in the world and most common pelagic species in the ocean; it's estimated that it has a population in the tens of millions. As an opportunistic predator, it will eat all the bony fishes it can find, as well as eels, catfish, and swimming crabs. Its formidable size makes some people nervous, but there has never been a fatal silky shark attack on a human. Nonetheless, obviously a distance is preferable.