Silky Shark

ID points

• Fine dense skin scales that feel unusually smooth
• Long sickle-shaped pectoral fins
• The second dorsal fin trails a very long free rear tip

Basics

Family

Carcharhinidae

Length

2.0–3.0 m

Depth

0-500 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs · Caribbean & W. Atlantic · Open ocean

Distribution

Surface to mid waters of tropical oceans worldwide

Habitat

Open ocean, surface and mid waters

Diet

Fish, cephalopods

Easily confused with

Bull SharkStout body with a short blunt snout that looks cut off flatCaribbean Reef SharkStout body, first dorsal fin starting over the rear edge of the pectoral finsGrey Reef SharkA broad black margin along the rear edge of the tail fin, very conspicuous

Fun fact

The silky shark is named for its very fine, tightly packed skin denticles, which make it feel as smooth as silk to the touch. It is one of the most migratory sharks in the world and often follows tuna schools on long ocean crossings, which is why it turns up so often as bycatch in fishing operations.

More in this family

• Blacktip Reef Shark
• Blue Shark
• Lemon Shark
• Oceanic Whitetip Shark
• Tiger Shark
• Whitetip Reef Shark