Sharks of Onslow County

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More than Armor: How Shark Skin Shapes Survival

Angelique Mitchell, MPS October 6, 2025 No Comments

Have you ever wondered why, if you touch a shark from head to fin, it feels smooth—but from fin to head, it’s skin is rough like sandpaper? Sharks and rays…

What's the Difference Between a Skate and Ray?

Flat-Finned Neighbors: Rays and Skates Along Topsail & New River

Angelique Mitchell, MPS September 25, 2025 No Comments

If you love watching for fins in Onslow County, remember: not every fin belongs to a shark. Sharks, rays, skates, and sawfishes are all elasmobranchs—cartilaginous fishes with skeletons of flexible…

Serrated or Smooth? How to Tell What Sharks Eat by its Design in Onslow County, NC

Angelique Mitchell, MPS September 17, 2025 No Comments

Shark teeth aren’t just pointy souvenirs—they’re precision tools evolved over millions of years to match each shark’s preferred prey. In Onslow County, North Carolina, our coastal waters are home to…

Why We Know So Much and So Little about Sharks blog post image

Shark Research in Onslow County: Why We Know So Much—And So Little—About Sharks

Angelique Mitchell, MPS September 8, 2025 No Comments

Sharks inspire awe, fear, and fascination. They headline documentaries, fuel conservation campaigns, and even star in Hollywood blockbusters. Yet the science behind these predators tells a paradoxical story: while we…

Riding Out the Storm: Sharks and Hurricanes in North Carolina

Angelique Mitchell, MPS August 30, 2025 No Comments

When a hurricane or tropical storm barrels toward eastern North Carolina, humans board up windows and evacuate—but what do sharks do? Thanks to acoustic tagging and long-term monitoring, we now…

Can you tell the difference? Bull shark vs dusky shark

Think You Know Your Sharks? The 3 Most Misidentified

Angelique Mitchell, MPS August 5, 2025 No Comments

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…

Shark Watch: Meet the Seasonal Visitors to Onslow County’s Coast

Angelique Mitchell, MPS July 23, 2025 No Comments

North Carolina’s coastline is home to a surprisingly rich and dynamic marine ecosystem — and sharks are among its most vital (and misunderstood) residents. In Onslow County, from the inlets…

Sharks of Onslow County: A Closer Look Beneath the Surface

Angelique Mitchell, MPS July 17, 2025 1 Comment

North Carolina’s coastline is more than just a scenic destination — it’s a living, shifting ecosystem where over 70 species of sharks either pass through or call home. Here in…