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:

Cloudy Catshark

Family: Scyliorhinidae | Genus: Scyliorhinus | Species: Scyliorhinus torazame | CITES: Not Listed | IUCN: Least Concern

Cloudy Catsharks can be found off the coasts of Japan, Korea, China and the Philippines. They are bottom dwellers that inhabit rocky reefs in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. They can be found at least at depths of 320 m below…. read more.

Coates’ Shark

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

Carcharhinus coatesi, or Coates’ Shark, is named after George Coates who collected many sharks, rays and fishes in North Queensland. They are found from the surface to 123 m in the tropical waters of the East Indian to the Western… read more.

Common Smooth-hound

Common Smooth-hound

Family: Triakidae | Genus: Mustelus | Species: Mustelus mustelus | CITES: Not Listed | IUCN: Vulnerable

Common Smoothhound – Mustelus mustelus Common Smoothhounds are sometimes confused with Starry Smoothhounds because of their appearance. They congregate in large numbers which is why they are called hound sharks. Common smoothhounds are widespread in the waters off the coast… read more.

Comoro Catshark

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

The comoro catshark is a species of ground shark found in the western Indian ocean at depths of up to 400 m. Like all members of the catshark shark family, they’re bottom feeders, have elongated cat-like eyes, and two small… read more.

Cook’s Swellshark

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

The Cook’s swellshark is a rare species of catshark found between northern Australia and Indonesian New Guinea. They’re a deepwater species and are found usually at depths of 223-300 m. Like all swellsharks, they have the ability to inflate their… read more.

Copper Shark

Copper Shark

Family: Carcharhinidae | Genus: Carcharhinus | CITES: Not Listed | IUCN: Near Threatened

The Copper Shark is a coastal and offshore shark found in tropical and temperate seas. Native to the Western Atlantic and the Western and Eastern Pacific, the Copper Shark can be found in Mexico, South Africa and areas like Japan… read more.

Coral Catshark

Coral Catshark

Family: Scyliorhinidae | Genus: Atelomycterus | CITES: Not Listed | IUCN: Near Threatened

The Coral Catshark is a species of catshark, part of the family Scyliorhinidae. It is common in shallow coral reefs across the Indo-West Pacific Ocean, from Pakistan to New Guinea.   Biology and Description: The Coral Catshark has a slender,… read more.

Creek Whaler

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

Commonly known as the Creek Whaler, is a common species of requiem sharks, and part of the family Carcharhinidae, endemic to northern Australia. Biology and Description: The body of the Creek Whaler is spindle-shaped and rather stocky. The snout is… read more.

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