SIZING UP SHARKS,THE LORDS OF THE SEA
Sharks range in size from the largest fish on the planet to the length of your palm. See how you compare to some of these vulnerable predators that are so crucial to the ocean’s health.
(ALL TEETH SHOWN ARE MAGNIFIED AND IN PROPORTION TO ONE ANOTHER.)
Rhincodon typus
Tooth height: 0.43 in
STATUS: Vulnerable
Sphyrna mokarran
Tooth height: 0.5 in
STATUS: Endangered
Carcharodon carcharias
Tooth height: 2.13 in
STATUS: Vulnerable
Somniosus microcephalus
Tooth height: 0.4 in
STATUS: Near threatened
Galeocerdo cuvier
Tooth height: 0.9 in
STATUS: Near threatened
Hexanchus griseus
Tooth height: 0.75 in
STATUS: Near threatened
Carcharhinus longimanus
Tooth height: 0.63 in
STATUS: Vulnerable
Squatina squatina
Tooth height: 0.3 in
STATUS: Critically endangered
Pristiophorus japonicus
Tooth height: 0.3 in
STATUS: Insufficient data
Centroscymnus coelolepis
Tooth height: 0.2 in
STATUS: Near threatened
Heterodontus francisci
Tooth height: 0.16 in
STATUS: Insufficient data
Etmopterus perryi
Tooth height: 0.09 in
STATUS: Insufficient data
Carcharocles megalodon
Tooth height: 5.7 in
STATUS: Extinct
FERNANDO G. BAPTISTA, DAISY CHUNG, RYAN T. WILLIAMS, CHIQUI ESTEBAN, AND JAIME HRITSIK, NG STAFF; FANNA GEBREYESUS
SOURCES: FAO; IUCN; GEORGE H. BURGESS, FLORIDA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY; STEPHEN J. GODFREY, CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM; DEAN GRUBBS, FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY; GAVIN NAYLOR, COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON; NIGEL HUSSEY, UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR