Sharks are fierce, mysterious underwater predators that come in all shapes and sizes. Some of the most well-known species include the great white, tiger shark, blue shark, mako shark, goblin shark… wait – what was that last one?
Goblin Shark
That’s right; there is apparently a monster lurking out at sea called the goblin shark with jaws that could swallow you in one gulp. It may be scary, but it’s time to get familiarized because goblin sharks are massive – the biggest shark species in the world, in fact.
Great White Shark
The great white is usually considered to be the largest shark species, but it’s actually a bit of a lightweight in comparison to the goblin shark. The average great white is about 15 feet long and weighs 1,500 pounds, while the average goblin shark is 18 feet long and weighs 2,500 pounds! That’s one big fish!
Tiger Shark
The tiger shark is a close second to the goblin shark in terms of size. It typically grows to be about 16 feet long and weigh 1,500 pounds, but there have been cases of tigers sharks reaching up to 20 feet in length.
Blue Shark
Blue sharks are the most common large shark species and they can grow up to 12 feet long and weigh 400 pounds.
Mako Shark
Mako sharks are the fastest of all shark species, reaching speeds up to 45 mph. They typically grow to be about 10 feet long and weigh 300 pounds.
Bull Shark
The bull shark is one of the most aggressive shark species and it can thrive in both saltwater and freshwater. They typically grow to be about 11 feet long and weigh 500 pounds.
Nurse Shark
The nurse shark is a bottom-feeder that lives in both tropical and temperate waters. They typically grow to be about 10 feet long and weigh 400 pounds.
Sawfish
The sawfish is a bizarre looking shark that can reach up to 19 feet long and weigh close to 1,000 pounds.
Hammerhead Shark
The hammerhead shark is usually about 8.2 feet long and weighs 400 pounds, but evidence suggests that they can grow up to 12 feet in length!
Great Hammerhead Shark
The great hammerhead is the largest species of hammerhead shark, averaging 18 feet in length and weighing 1,000 pounds.
Scalloped Hammerhead Shark
The scalloped hammerhead is the most common type of hammerhead shark and they typically grow to be about 12 feet long and weigh 400 pounds.
Whale Shark
The whale shark is the largest fish in the world, measuring an average of 40 feet in length and weighing upwards of 20,000 pounds!
Basking Shark
The basking shark is typically about 33 feet long and weighs 4,000 pounds. This slow-moving giant can be found in both temperate and tropical waters around the world.
Megamouth Shark
The megamouth shark is a rare creature with a distinctive “bulldog” face. They typically grow to be 11 feet long and weigh 1,100 pounds.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it: the biggest shark species in the world. I hope you know a little bit more about these hungry hunters and stay a safe distance away if you ever happen to dive into their habitat!