Thresher shark

Alopias vulpinus

Occurring in

Mediterranean
North Atlantic
Northern Pacific
South Atlantic
Tropical East Pacific
Pacific west

0-500m

DayAndNightActive

Endangered

The Common thresher shark has an exceptionally long upper tail fin that is almost as long as its entire body. With this “whip,” it can stun prey fish. The species name vulpinus means “fox-like” and refers to this long tail fin.

Habitat

Open Water

Besondere Merkmale

The Common thresher shark has an exceptionally long upper tail fin that is almost as long as its entire body. With this “whip,” it can stun prey fish. The species name vulpinus means “fox-like” and refers to this long tail fin. Thresher sharks are among the most elegant and agile sharks of the open ocean.

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Erscheinungsbild

Slender body, very large eyes, grey to bluish back and a light-colored belly. The long upper tail fin is its most distinctive feature.

Natürliche Feinde

Larger sharks, orcas.

Gefährlich/Giftig

Not dangerous, not venomous.

Pro Tipps

When hunting, the thresher shark herds schools of fish together and then strikes lightning-fast with its tail fin. It often hits several fish with a single blow. It mainly feeds on herring, mackerel, and squid. Due to its slow reproduction, it is particularly vulnerable to overfishing