P3715

Sharks of Mississippi and Alabama

Sharks are a critical part of healthy marine ecosystems. Mississippi and Alabama are home to an incredible diversity of sharks.

Below are 15 of the most common species in this region.

Atlantic sharpnose shark

Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Blacknose shark

Carcharhinus acronotus

Blacktip shark

Carcharhinus limbatus

Sandbar shark

Carcharhinus plumbeus

Silky shark

Carcharhinus falciformis

Dusky shark

Carcharhinus obscurus

Bull shark

Carcharhinus leucas

Shortfin mako

Isurus oxyrinchus

Tiger shark

Galeocerdo cuvier

Nurse shark

Ginglymostoma cirratum

Gulper shark

Centrophorus granulosus

Gulf smoothound

Mustelus sinusmexicanus

Bonnethead

Sphyrna tiburo

Scalloped hammerhead

Sphyrna lewini

Great hammerhead

Sphyrna mokarran

Illustrations by Bryan Huerta

Publication 3715

MASGP-21-062