Sharks

Sharks come in all sizes, from the tiny spined pygmy to the 40-foot whale shark, but the great white is hands-down the most famous, thanks in no small part to a little movie called "Jaws."

Learn More

In the world of ocean giants, one name stands out: the Deep Blue shark.

By Nico Avelle

A summer day on the beach took a terrifying turn when a South Padre Island shark attack left beachgoers stunned and one woman seriously injured.

By Nico Avelle

You’ve probably heard of shark attacks and shark teeth, but here’s something lesser known and just as intriguing: Do sharks lay eggs? The answer is: it depends on the shark species.

By Nico Avelle

Advertisement

Sleek, fast, and unmistakably tinted with ocean hues, the blue shark is a standout among pelagic sharks.

By Nico Avelle

With their sleek, spotted bodies and easygoing demeanor, the leopard shark is a California coast icon. These sharks, scientifically known as Triakis semifasciata, cruise the shallow nearshore embayments of the eastern Pacific, especially around San Francisco Bay and southern California.

By Nico Avelle

With a name that sounds like it belongs in a storybook, the tasselled wobbegong shark is one of the ocean’s most fascinating ambush predators.

By Nico Avelle

When you picture Belize — a Central American jewel hugged by the Caribbean Sea — your mind probably drifts to turquoise waters, coral reefs and epic scuba diving adventures.

By Nico Avelle

Advertisement

If the ocean had a drag race, the mako shark would leave the competition in its bubbly wake.

By Nico Avelle

When you think of Florida, you probably imagine sandy beaches, warm surf and maybe a dolphin or two gliding by. Or, you might be thinking about Florida shark attacks — which, while rare, tend to feed a few headlines every year.

By Zach Taras

The frilled shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus), also known as the scaffold shark, is often called a "living fossil." This ancient shark has remained largely unchanged for millions of years, offering us a glimpse into the distant past. It's the only living species from its family of sharks.

By Mack Hayden

Ever wondered what sharks might find in their waters besides fish? Turns out, some Brazilian sharpnose sharks (Rhizoprionodon lalandii) have been swimming in some rather strange seas - ones laced with cocaine.

By Desiree Bowie

Advertisement

Sharks: They are the stuff of legend and the stuff of nightmares. But which are the biggest? Here are the top 10.

By Carrie Tatro

Porbeagles are related to great whites, but while they're also athletic killers, they're smaller and far less ferocious. And what's with the funny dog name?

By Mark Mancini

Decades before Discovery started its wildly successful Shark Week, Americans were transfixed by stories of shark-infested waters.

By Janet M. Davis

The lemon shark isn't as aggressive as some other sharks and it isn't quite as yellow as its name suggests.

By Katie Carman

Advertisement

This denizen of the frigid deep not only lives a crazy long life, it also can grow up to 24 feet in length and eating its flesh can make humans "shark drunk."

By Katie Carman

Shark shocker! This 'virgin birth' is the first example of a shark switching from sexual to asexual reproduction.

By Jesslyn Shields

In the past decade, several two-headed shark fetuses have been discovered. Is there something going on in the oceans we should know about?

By Jesslyn Shields

Think science has sharks all figured out? Think again. We still have so many unanswered questions about the aquatic marvels.

By Jesslyn Shields

Advertisement

Most of us would take to the seas a bit easier without any hammerheads, blacktips or bull sharks patrolling the waters below. The truth is, however, sharks help maintain a balanced ecosystem.

By Chris Opfer

A shark is coming at you. It opens its mouth wide, baring teeth. Will you be able to reach around and poke it in the eyes without losing an arm?

By Cristen Conger

Sharks scare us to death. What scares them? Magnets. Researchers have tossed magnets in the water and watched the sharks dart away. But what could be so repugnant about a magnet?

By Cristen Conger

It's scary enough to imagine a shark's toothy jaw snapping at your half-submerged body in the ocean. But the actual impact of its massive mouth clamping down? Surprisingly wimpy.

By Josh Clark

Advertisement

If your ears picked up on a 40-hertz signal, you might wonder what the annoying sound was all about. But if you're a shark and you hear this "yummy hum," it might mean it's dinner time.

By Josh Clark

Scuba divers, leave your bling at home. Don't wear yellow when you swim in the ocean. We hear all sorts of advice designed to keep sharks at bay. But is it legit?

By Josh Clark