Ground Sharks – Carcharhiniformes

Shark Database | Ground Sharks – Carcharhiniformes

The Carcharhiniformes, also known as ground sharks, are the largest order of sharks. There are over 250 species in this order and include common sharks such as the @tiger shark, @blue shark, and the @giant hammerhead shark. They are characterized by having two dorsal fins, an anal fin, five gill slits, and a nictitating membrane to protect their eyes.

All Sharks In This Order:

Small-fin Catshark

Family: Scyliorhinidae | Genus: Apristurus | CITES: Not Listed | IUCN: Data Deficient

The Small-Fin Catshark is a species of ground shark found in the western Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea. Like all members of the catshark shark family, they’re bottom feeders, have elongated cat-like eyes, and two small dorsal fins set far… read more.

Smalltail Shark

Family: Carcharhinidae | Genus: Carcharhinus | CITES: Not Listed | IUCN: Data Deficient

The smalltail shark is a species of requiem shark found off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South and Central America. It is often found in muddy bottoms near estuaries, usually in shallow water. Smalltails are small. They’re usually about… read more.

Smooth Hammerhead

Family: Sphyrnidae | Genus: Sphyrna | Species: Sphyrna zygaena | CITES: Listed Appendix II | IUCN: Vulnerable

The smooth hammerhead is a large species of hammerhead shark, the second largest after the great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran). They’re usually about 3 meters long. The largest specimen ever found was 5 meters long. It’s found in most of the… read more.

Smooth-tooth Blacktip shark

Family: Carcharhinidae | Genus: Carcharhinus | CITES: Not Listed | IUCN: Endangered

The Smoothtooth Blacktip Shark is a shark endemic to the Arabian Sea. It was just rediscovered in 2009. The species is rare and localised. They are caught in gill nets, long longline and trawl fisheries in inshore waters. Carcharhinus species… read more.

Snaggletooth Shark

Snaggletooth Shark

Family: Hemigaleidae | Genus: Hemigaleus | CITES: Not Listed | IUCN: Vulnerable

This species has two common names: Snaggletooth Sharks and Fossil Shark. They can be found in the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea and the western central Pacific Ocean and Northwest Pacific Ocean at depths of 130 m deep. Biology and Behaviour:… read more.

Sombre Catshark

Family: Scyliorhinidae | Genus: Bythaelurus | CITES: Not Listed | IUCN: Data Deficient

The Sombre Catshark is a species of ground shark found in northwestern Australia. Like all members of the catshark shark family, they’re bottom feeders, have elongated cat-like eyes, and two small dorsal fins set far back. They’re mostly nocturnal. They… read more.

South China Catshark

Family: Scyliorhinidae | Genus: Apristurus | CITES: Not Listed | IUCN: Data Deficient

The South China Catshark is a species of ground shark found in the South China Sea. Like all members of the catshark shark family, they’re bottom feeders, have elongated cat-like eyes, and two small dorsal fins set far back. They’re… read more.

Southern Sawtail Catshark

Family: Scyliorhinidae | Genus: Galeus | Species: Galeus mincaronei | CITES: Not Listed | IUCN: Vulnerable

Named after Michael Mincarone, the Southern Sawtail Catshark from southern Brazil was discovered in 2001.   They inhabit deep-reefs at 236 to 600 m, but commonly found at 400 m deep, with gorgonians, hard corals, tube sponges, crinoids, ophiuroids and… read more.

Do you have images or videos of Ground Sharks – Carcharhiniformes?
Submit them to [email protected].