The whale shark is the largest shark species, and also the biggest fish species in the world. Whale sharks can grow to 65 feet in
length and weigh up to 75,000 pounds. Their backs are gray, blue, or brown in color and covered
with regularly arranged light spots. Whale sharks are found in warm waters in the
Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.Despite their huge size, whale sharks feed on some of the tiniest creatures in the ocean, including crustaceans and plankton.
Shortfin mako sharks are thought to be the fastest shark species. These sharks can grow to a length of about 13 feet and a weight of about 1,220 pounds.
They have a light underside and a bluish coloration on their back. Shortfin mako sharks are found
in the pelagic zone (open ocean) in temperate and tropical waters in the Atlantic, Pacific,
and Indian oceans and the Mediterranean Sea.
There are several species of hammerhead sharks, which are in the family Sphyrnidae. These species include the winghead, mallethead, scalloped
hammerhead, scoophead, great hammerhead, and bonnethead sharks. Their oddly-shaped heads give them a wide
visual range, which aids their hunting. These sharks inhabit tropical and warm temperate
oceans around the world.
White sharks (more commonly called great white sharks) are among the most feared creatures in the ocean, thanks to the movie "Jaws." Their maximum size
has been estimated at about 20 feet long and more than 4,000 pounds. Despite its fierce reputation,
the great white shark has a curious nature and tends to investigate its prey before eating it. They may release prey they find
unpalatable. Some great whites may bite humans but not go on to kill them.
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