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The Most Dangerous of All Sharks

Preview Oceanic white tip shark near Cat Island, Bahamas.
(Austin Gallagher, Florida)

Unlike the hammerhead, the oceanic white-tip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) is aggressive towards humans. It has been noted as a danger toward those stranded at sea, and is very powerful during feeding frenzies. Jacques Cousteau dubbed it “the most dangerous of all sharks.” The white-tip is one of the more abundant sharks in the ocean, and is not endangered. However, its fins are the prime ingredient in shark fin soup, and its population has been steeply declining. White-tips prefer deep water, and are largely solitary. However, you still shouldn’t get too close.