Sharks of Onslow County
Many sharks have similar appearances in body shape and colorations, especially when viewed from above. Juvenile sharks can be difficult to identify because their markings and proportions are not developed to fully resemble adults. The ability to obtain clear, prolonged views of sharks underwater can be difficult due to shark movement and water clarity. Not all people that encounter sharks have the specialized knowledge required for accurate identification.
But which sharks are often misidentified in North Carolina, and why? It’s often like a game of “can you spot the differences?” when trying to identify similar species. Let’s review the top 3 misidentified sharks in NC.
Both sharks can grow to large sizes with a bulky appearance with overlapping habitats. Both have a brown to bronze upper body that fades into a white belly. They look similar because they are members of the same shark genus, Carcharhinus or Requiem sharks, that share some of the same qualities such as, slender to stout bodies, their first dorsal fin is larger than their second dorsal fin, have a long upper tail lobe, and single-cusped blade-shaped teeth.
Both sharks leap from the water and spin during feeding. They look similar because they are members of the same shark genus, Carcharhinus or Requiem sharks, that share some of the same qualities such as, slender to stout bodies, their first dorsal fin is larger than their second dorsal fin, have a long upper tail lobe, and single-cusped blade-shaped teeth.
The juvenile blacktip shark has not fully developed into its final adult stage, so it lacks markings and definition that can distinguish it better from Atlantic sharpnose shark. The blacktip, in its adult stage, can reach up to 6 feet, while the Atlantic sharpnose shark only reaches a maximum length of 3.5 that makes it a similar size to a juvenile blacktip shark. Both forage in shallower waters and share the same habitat.
Most sharks seen nearshore in Onslow County are not aggressive toward humans and play a crucial role in ocean health. Most sightings are brief and harmless. That said, avoid swimming near fishing piers or schools of baitfish, especially at dawn or dusk, and between fishers casting from the shore.
Correct species identification helps:
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