Humans Beware, These are the Most Dangerous Sharks

Remarkably, we narrowed down the over 400 species of sharks to a list of the 15 deadliest! Though, not all sharks are dangerous to us humans. Luckily, when sharks do attack the rates of fatalities are fairly low. Yet, the unprovoked shark attacks make headlines worldwide and inspire Hollywood blockbusters like Jaws. It may be hard to identify the species after an attack. Sometimes, victims only get glimpses of the snout or awful teeth, which would really give a cosmetic dentist a run for his money! Despite the lack of exact numbers, we consulted with records of unprovoked attacks to make this most dangerous list.

Bull Shark

In fact, the bull shark has been recorded for 100 attacks. Of course, that qualifies it within the top three deadliest sharks. Usually, bull sharks feed on smaller sharks. Watch out! These deadly creatures reside in relatively shallow waters.

Tiger Shark

Again, with over 100 attacks, the tiger shark makes the list of top three deadliest sharks. Clearly, the name tiger comes from the shark’s noticeable stripes, but we hope we’re never close enough to see that tiger-like resemblance! The tiger shark isn’t a picky eater. Thus, tiger sharks are a dangerous predator for both sea creatures and humans!

Great White

Obviously, Jaws made the great white shark even more infamous for its attacks. Many claim the great white is the deadliest in the entire ocean. With a weight of up to five thousand pounds, it’s no wonder its nickname became white death. Over 300 attacks have been recorded. Make sure to cover up those cuts before deep sea diving because this shark can smell blood up to 3 miles away! The danger runs both ways though. Humans hunt them for their liver oil, in addition to skin for leather.

Oceanic Whitetip

Hold up! We did just name the top three deadliest sharks, but this next one probably killed more humans than those combined! However, since most of these speculated attacks occurred during plane crashes and ship disasters, there is no record. Several sunken WWII ships were believed to be attacked by the oceanic whitetip. Now, that could be a horrifying movie! These terrifying sharks can measure up to 13 feet long. Not only, are they known for being extremely aggressive, but also persistent, which makes for a deadly combo!

Shortfin Mako

Another aggressive species is the shortfin mako. As far as the records go, this shark has attacked 45 times and killed three people. Unsurprisingly, as part of the mackerel family, it’s relatives with the great white. Adults grow up to ten or even fifteen feet. Known for their incredible speed at 46 mph, you can forget about out swimming this beast. Actually, they’ve landed in fishing boats several times because of their outrageous leaps. Wow, you aren’t even safe in a boat!

Sand Tiger

Perhaps, the fierce sand tiger is just as afraid of you as you are of it! Turns out, the species is vulnerable, not quite endangered, because humans hunt them for their meat. If you would rather not take your chances searching for a glimpse of the deadly creature in the ocean, you can find sand tigers in many aquariums. This shark, which can grow up to an incredible ten feet, has been recorded at twenty-nine attacks.

Blacktip

Tied with the sand tiger at 29 attacks, the blacktip is more prevalent in shallow waters. Thus, blacktips often come in contact with humans. Fortunately, after an unappetizing bite, they leave people and aren’t known for causing fatalities. Only one attack from this shark resulted in a death. As you may have guessed, the literal dark tips gave this creature its name.

Hammerhead

We hope you’re catching on, but as most people know, the shape of this shark’s head gave it the name hammerhead. At over thirty attacks but luckily no fatalities, the hammerhead is continually noted for its aggressive nature. Again, its probably best that the only time you take your chances with hammerheads is in an aquarium.

Bronze Whaler

Luckily, you may not have to fear this bronze beast because it’s listed on the IUCN’s threatened species list. Apparently, no specific area contains a large population of the bronze whaler. Yet, there have been fifteen attacks recorded.

Blue Shark

Besides its blue coloring and big eyes, this shark is easily recognized by its elongated snout. Out of the thirteen recorded attacks, four people died. Again, for this species, far more humans kill them for meat and sport than are killed by the creature.

Goblin Shark

Not much is known about the infamous goblin shark. Although, surely a cosmetic dentist should be consulted for those fang-like teeth. Yet, it’s unlikely that any cosmetic dentist could solve the likes of this mouth! Luckily for us, this species resides at the ocean’s floor along continental shelves. They grow up to twelve feet and can weigh as much as 460 pounds! However, they have been spotted off the coast of Japan. Japanese named them after goblins from mythical folklore in their culture. Also scientists speculated they’re sluggish sharks so there’s hope you don’t need to be Michael Phelps to out swim this one!

Spinner Shark

Spinner sharks are known for their spiral leaping and small, narrow teeth. These teeth help them grasp prey. Although they don’t pose an enormous threat to people, sixteen attacks have been recorded. Apparently, there meat is quite tasty so if you’re ever being bit you could always try biting back!

Wobbegong Shark

Surprisingly, this seafloor dwelling creature is indeed a shark. The wobbegong are also called carpet sharks. Due to their unique patterns, they’re able to camouflage. Their whiskers only add to their menacing look. Presently, they have been responsible for twenty eight attacks. Beware, once they sink their teeth into you, they hang on and are not easy to remove!

Requiem Shark

Due to unreported attacks, experts speculate that requiem sharks are responsible for more attacks than the fifty one recorded. They are hard to differentiate from other species. Thus, leading to more uncertainty about accurate attack records.

Lemon Shark

Despite its seemingly innocent name, this shark is no joke! Lemon sharks grow up to eleven feet long. Due to their presence in shallow subtropical waters, they often come into contact with humans. Although, not traditionally thought of as aggressive, this close contact has resulted in at least ten attacks.

Nurse Shark

Despite the nurturing nature of its name, the nurse shark can become aggressive quickly. They weigh up to an enormous 330 pounds. Fortunately, their bite isn’t strong enough to typically result in fatality. Although, they are know to latch onto prey. Occasionally, surgical tools were needed to release victims from their grip! They rank in number four of recorded bites. Perhaps, divers are fooled by their sedentary nature into becoming too comfortable around these creatures.

Grey Reef Shark

Another requiem shark, here, we have the grey reef shark. Mostly, they swim in shallow water near drop-off points of reefs. When threatened, they will hunch and move from side to side. This behavior appears when followed by divers. Thus, they attacked a number of humans. If you see this stereotypical behavior, you know the shark is warning of an imminent attack.

Galapagos Shark

Yet again, the Galapagos shark is a requiem shark. Despite its name, you can find them around the world. Though, they favor water near coral reefs. The younger sharks will swim in shallow waters. Typically, the species is very aggressive towards humans. In general, they’re known to approach swimmers and are drawn in by fishing activity. Two of three recorded attacks were fatal.

Silky Shark

Actually, the silky shark has many names like, the blackspot shark, ridgeback shark, sickle shark, to name a few. No surprise, this is another requiem shark. Besides its enormous size and sharp teeth, the noted aggressive behavior makes silky sharks are threat to humans. Luckily, there have not been many recorded attacks. Though, the shark has been known to harass swimmers. However, in the presence of food the shark will become very excited. Thus, they probably pose the most threat then.

Dusky Shark

The requiem species dusty shark resides in warm waters across the globe. Due to its large size, it’s considered a threat to humans. Though there is a lack of knowledge of actual human interaction. So far, there was one fatal attack and six attacks on people and even boats.

Caribbean Reef Shark

The Caribbean reef shark is the most common encountered shark out of reef sharks in the Caribbean. Again, it’s difficult to distinguish from other family members like the dusty shark. Caribbean reef sharks are normally indifferent towards divers. Beware, around food they become aggressive and dangerous. Thus far, there have been twenty seven attacks recorded.

Sandbar Shark

The sandbar shark lives in the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific. Since they avoid beaches, they often don’t come into contact with humans. Yet, it’s size makes it a potential threat, and there have been recorded attacks.

Spotted Wobbegong Shark

Well, this carpet shark can be pretty tough to distinguish from other Wobbegongs. Their powerful bit not only inflicts pain, but severely lacerates its victims. Again, this shark clamps onto its victims and will not release. On the records, there have been sixteen bites on humans.

Porbeagle Shark

Found in cold and temperate waters, the porbeagle has been recorded at three bites so far. This shark will even bit boats. Though there is some debate whether this shark is more dangerous than the record states. There’s an anecdote of a fisherman who was attacked when a porbeagle leaped out of the water and ripped the man’s clothing. Recently, there are videos of probeagles charging at oil platform divers. For now, we’ll just keep our distance.

Sevengill Shark

Also known as the broadnose sevengill, the sevengill is usually aggressive towards people. Though found in aquariums, they maintain their hostile temperate in both the wild and captivity. Indeed, human remains were discovered in one’s stomach. Thus, all divers should steer clear. There have been six recorded attacks.

School Shark

The school shark, a type of houndshark, is often referred to as a tope shark or snapper shark. Even though they are relatively small when it comes to sharks, the International Shark Attack File already identified an unprovoked attack. Thus, experts warn people to approach with caution even if captured and landed.

Leopard Shark

Obviously, this houndshark got its name from its leopard look. You can find them in the Pacific Ocean all the way from Oregon down to Mexico. Although, they do not typically pose a threat to humans, one attack on a diver was recorded in 1955. You can never be too safe!

Common Thresher Shark

Just its name is enough to scare us! Luckily, most of their species will avoid humans. However, there was an attack on a human recorded, as well as four attacks on boats.

Zebra Shark

This carpet shark resides in Tropical waters. Although, slower than other species, zebra sharks have attacked humans. They have been know to bite divers when approached. There was one unprovoked attack in 2008.

Frilled Shark

Thankfully, this frightening creature lives at such depths it rarely encounters humans. So, with a lack of interaction you most likely will not be attacked. However, we had to include this scary one on the list because I mean, just look at it! Also scientists who were studying one did cut themselves on its teeth and that was when it was dead. So imagine encountering one while it’s alive!

Cookiecutter Shark

Luckily the cookiecutter typically resides offshore and rarely encounters people. Despite the small size, this fierce shark is notorious for its clean, deep bites. Several attacks have been recorded. Reports from shipwreck survivors have described their small but deep bites from nighttime. At least they lived to tell the tale!

Port Jackson Shark

This nocturnal bullhead shark dwells off of southern Australia, including right off of Port Jackson, hence its name. Back in 2011, there was a shark attack reported near Melbourne from a Port Jackson shark. Luckily, the man swam away even though the shark was still attached to his calf.

Spiny Dogfish Shark

Perhaps, you have heard of the spiny dogfish by one of its other nicknames such as, mud shark, skittledog, spurdog or piked dogfish. This shark is found in temperate and shallow waters. They eat other sharks and also octopus and squid. Though generally, not considered as threatening as a great white or other higher ranking dangerous sharks, they can do considerable damage with their teeth to human flesh. Also humans must be cautious of their slightly poisonous dorsal fin spines, which can pose a threat.

Crocodile Shark

Actually, the crocodile shark is a type of mackerel shark. You can find them in tropical waters. Despite its small size, this shark has a very powerful bite that can really do serious damage to humans.

Pigeye Shark

You can find the pigeye shark or Java shark in warm waters along the coast of both the Western Indo-Pacific and also the eastern Atlantic. Due to its large size and strong teeth, this shark definetely poses a threat to people. While not yet recorded for attacks, there was an incident in 1993 when almost 100 people died from consuming this shark’s poisonous meat in Madagascar. So beware, this shark is not only a threat in the water!

Tawny Nurse Shark

Probably obvious from its appearance, the tawny nurse shark is a type of carpet shark. They’re active predators at night. At times, they can appear calm and even allow divers to approach and touch them. However, procede with caution. Sometimes, they feel provoked and have been known to bite down with powerful jaws and very strong, sharp teeth.

Thresher Shark

From these lamniform sharks, there are four types of thresher sharks. The name derives from its thresher-like tail. Actually, the tail can grow up to the size of the shark’s body! In fact, it’s this tail that may pose the most threat to humans. Generally, they do not attack unprovoked, though divers have been hit by the upper tail lobe. Some fear this shark due to a dubious account about an innocent fisherman who was decapitated by the shark’s tail swipe.

Graceful Shark

Graceful shark or queensland shark, this species lives in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific. Though not recorded in any attacks, many warn humans of its potential danger. Its large size alone causes experts to warn people to be cautious around them.

Bignose Shark

Luckily, even though they potentially pose a threat to people, this deep sea dweller, rarely comes into contact with humans. This species of requiem shark lives in tropical and suptropical waters close to the edges of the continental shelf.

Blind Shark

Blind sharks are another type of carpet sharks, found off of eastern Australia. They live on the rocky ocean floors. Oh and no the shark is not blind, but the name comes from the shark’s habitat of shutting its eyes when out of water. Though not usually known for attacking, they will bite if provoked. Actually, once they bite, their strong jaws in addition to powerful suction make them very hard to remove. There have been reported incidents of divers coming all the way to surface with a blind shark still attacked to their wetsuit until someone pries open the jaw.