Thresher shark
The thresher shark is a distinctive marine species known for its long, sweeping tail fin, which can be as long as its body, reaching lengths of up to 20 feet (6 meters). Weighing between 200 and 400 pounds (91 to 182 kilograms), some individuals have been reported to weigh as much as 800 pounds (363 kilograms). Thresher sharks are typically found in offshore and deeper oceanic waters, where they feed on various fish species using a unique hunting technique that involves whipping their tails to stun prey. This shark matures around the age of six to seven years, and females give birth to two to four live pups after a gestation period of approximately nine months.
The pelagic thresher, bigeye thresher, and common thresher are notable species within the Alopias genus, with the pelagic thresher being classified as endangered and the others as vulnerable. While they are sought after by sport fishermen for their challenging fight, they also face competition from commercial fisheries due to the high market value of their meat. Despite their impressive fighting capabilities and striking appearance, thresher sharks can live up to 50 years in the wild. Their conservation status highlights the importance of sustainable fishing practices to protect these remarkable creatures.
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Thresher shark
The thresher shark is easily recognized due to its long, sweeping tail fin. Sport fishermen know the thresher shark to be a challenging fish to catch as it has a reputation for putting up an incredible fight.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Order: Lamniformes
Family: Alopiidae
Genus: Alopias
Species: Various (see below)
The thresher shark ranges in weight between 200 and 400 pounds (91 to 182 kilograms) and has been reported to have reached a weight of 800 pounds (363 kilograms). The thresher shark could hardly be mistaken for any other shark because of its upper caudal fin, or the top portion of the shark's tail. This caudal fin is roughly the same length as the shark's body, which may be as long as 20 feet (six meters). The thresher shark has the typical slate-blue skin. Its back can be brown, gray, or black with metallic tints. It has large eyes and a medium-length snout, or nose. The head of the thresher shark is fairly small.
The habitat of the thresher shark is offshore waters to the deeper oceanic waters. Most of its feeding is done at mid-depths and the surface. Its diet includes a variety of fish. As it approaches a school of fish, it uses its tail like a whip and thrashes at the school, stunning and killing the fish, which it then eats.
The thresher shark reaches maturity at the age of about six to seven years. During mating, the male transfers his sperm to the female through a sexual organ called a clasper. The eggs develop inside the female into a live young over 9 months. A female gives birth to two to four baby sharks, called pups, measuring 3 3/4 to 5 feet (115 to 160 centimeters) and weighing 11 to 13 pounds (5 to 6 kilograms). As soon as the pups are born they begin feeding.
Most thresher sharks are found off the California coast. Here, sport fishermen seek out the thresher shark due to its reputation for being a real fighting fish. These fishermen must compete with the large commercial fishers that go after the thresher for the high price its meat brings on the market.
The pelagic thresher is endangered, and the common and bigeye thrasher are vulnerable.
Thrasher sharks can live up to 50 years.
Species include:
Pelagic thresher Alopias pelagicus
Bigeye thresher Alopias superciliosus
Atlantic or common thresher Alopias vulpinus
Bibliography
"Alopias Vulpinus." Florida Museum of Natural History, www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/species-profiles/alopias-vulpinus. Accessed 15 May 2024.
"Atlantic Common Thresher Shark." NOAA Fisheries, www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/atlantic-common-thresher-shark. Accessed 15 May 2024.
"Fact Sheet." The Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks, www.cms.int/sites/default/files/publication/Thresher%20Shark.pdf. Accessed 15 May 2024.
"Pelagic Thresher Shark." Oceana International Headquarters, oceana.org/marine-life/pelagic-thresher-shark. Accessed 15 May 2024.