Family Carcharhinidae

Requiem Sharks

Selected Characters: Spiracles usually absent; precaudal pit present; pointed snout; long pectoral fin.

This is a large family of sharks occurring mostly in warm temperate and tropical seas; some enter fresh water. Most of the sharks that attack humans belong to this family. The single species that occurs in Puget Sound, the Blue Shark, reaches lengths of 2 to 4 meters. This shark is usually found near the surface and is a voracious eater of fish and squid. It is not considered extremely dangerous, but has been known to attack humans and should be treated with caution. Females of this species give live birth to litters of 4 to 60 or more pups that are each about 50cm long. This attractive shark is rare in Puget Sound.

Puget Sound Species

Prionace glauca Blue Shark