Nurse Shark
Species: Ginglymostoma cirratum
Family: Ginglymostomatidae
Distribution: Eastern and western Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Ocean (note there are two additional species found in the Indo-Pacific)
Maximum Size: 14 ft and 240 lb
Biology: Nurse sharks are relatively sluggish sharks that inhabit inshore and nearshore habitats, and are also one of only a select group of sharks that does not have to swim to respire. Consequently, they are often found resting on the bottom. It is a common shark that eats a variety of prey including lobsters, squid, octopus, sea urchins, and any small bottom fish that it can catch such as mullet and catfish. Nurse sharks are not aggressive nevertheless; many humans are bitten because they make the mistake of molesting them.
Blacktip Shark
Species: Carcharhinus limbatus
Family: Carcharhinidae (requiem sharks)
Distribution: Found worldwide in warm temperate to tropical waters.
Maximum Size: 9 ft and 268 lb
Biology: Blacktip sharks are very common in Florida waters and may be found along sandy beaches, over coral reefs, and in estuaries. Blacktips have a stocky build and a pointed snout. They are often misidentified with other Charcharinid sharks, especially spinner sharks because they have the habit of leaping out of the water and spinning when chasing prey or once hooked. The blacktip gets its name because the tips of the dorsal fin, pectoral fin and lower lobe of the tail are often black or dusky colored. However, these markings fade with growth. Blacktips are voracious predators that prey on a variety of fish including numerous species of baitfish as well as smaller sharks and rays. Blacktips will willingly strike live or dead bait as well as artificial lures and flies. Blacktips are not considered especially dangerous, although accidental attacks occur when swimmers are present in baitfish schools, especially in murky water.
Lemon Shark
Species: Negaprion brevirostris
Family: Carcharhinidae (requiem sharks)
Distribution: Eastern and western Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and portions of the eastern Pacific along Central America.
Maximum Size: 10ft and 400 lb
Biology: Lemon sharks are common inhabitants of Florida'[s shallows and can be found along reefs, near river mouths and in bays and estuaries. Like the nurse shark, lemon sharks have the ability lie motionless on the bottom. Lemons are easily identified by the fact that their first and second dorsal fins are of equal size. In addition, their teeth lack serrations. Lemon sharks feed on a variety of fish (especially bonefish in Florida Bay), mollusks and crustaceans. Like blacktips, lemon sharks will strike artificial lures and flies as well as bait. Lemon sharks have been involved in several attacks on humans, but are generally not overly aggressive unless in the vicinity of chumming or spearfishing.
Bull Shark
Species: Carcharhinus leucas
Family: Carcharhinidae (requiem sharks)
Distribution: Found worldwide in warm temperate to tropical waters.
Maximum Size: 11 ft and 697 lb
Biology: Bull sharks are a coastal species that have the unique ability of inhabiting totally fresh water. They are commonly found far away from the sea in large rivers such as the Mississippi, Zambezi and Ganges. Bull sharks are massively built, with a short blunt snout and small eyes. Perhaps implicated in more attacks on humans than any other shark, it is an aggressive species that will eat a variety of prey including mammals, other sharks, fish and invertebrates.
Hammerhead Shark
Florida Species: Scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini), Great Hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran), Smooth hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena), Bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo)
Family: Sphyrinidae
Distribution: Eight different species that are found worldwide in warm temperate and tropical waters
Maximum Size: 19 ft and 991 lb (Great hammerhead)
Biology: Hammerheads are unique sharks that all share characteristic lateral expansions of the head. This unique shape of the head presumably enhances sensory capabilities. Besides the diminutive bonnethead, the two species most likely to be caught are scalloped and great hammerhead. Both are large sharks that can periodically be found in shallows out to open ocean. Hammerheads feed on a variety of prey including crabs, fish, sharks and other species of fish. They also seem to have liking for stingrays and one specimen was captured with over 100 stingray barbs imbedded in the snout. Great hammerheads can be distinguished from the scalloped hammerhead in that the front margin is straight and does not bear the curves or indentations found on scalloped hammerheads.
