Species Type:
Sharks & Rays, Fishes
Common Name(s):
Silky shark
Size:
Silky sharks can grow up to 10 feet long, with females usually growing larger than males.
Diet:
The silky shark feeds on schooling fish, particularly tuna. They also eat mullet, mackerel, porcupinefish, cephalopods (squid and octopus), and sometimes crabs.
Range & Habitat:
One of the most abundant sharks of the pelagic zone (open water away from shore and surface). They can be found in subtropical waters in worldwide, including the Gulf of Mexico.
Details:
Silky sharks have long, slender bodies, with a dark gray or bronze coloration and white belly. They have a distinctive rounded dorsal fin, and a rounded snout. Their dermal denticles, similar to scales, are tightly packed and overlapping, giving their skin a smooth texture. This is how they got their name, silky shark!