A great white emerging from the water (Sergey Uryadnikov/Shutterstock)
Sharks might not be the constant threat Hollywood makes them out to be, but a few species have earned their fearsome reputation. With around 70 to 100 attacks reported worldwide each year, the same culprits are making headlines. Whether it’s the massive great white or the aggressive bull shark, these predators dominate the ocean and our fears. Which sharks are responsible for most of the attacks? We have the list of the most dangerous predators lurking in oceans worldwide thanks to animal experts across seven websites. Have you had a close encounter with a shark? Let us know below.
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Which sharks are the most dangerous?
1. Great White
There is no question the white shark, also called the great white shark holds the top spot as the world’s deadliest shark species, responsible for at least 351 known attacks worldwide and 59 deaths. Reaching over 20 feet in length and weighing several thousand pounds, these sharks are built for power. Their sharp, serrated teeth combined with a bite force of up to 4,000 pounds per square inch, which Forbes says make them capable of taking down large prey with ease.
According to OutdoorGuide, what’s truly fascinating about great white sharks is that they rarely intend to attack humans. Despite their fearsome reputation, most encounters are cases of mistaken identity. With their sharp senses, they may simply be curious, mistaking a surfer or swimmer for prey. These apex predators usually prefer seals or fish over people, but their power and size make even a single bite dangerous.
Great whites are most often spotted near the shores of South Africa, Australia, California, and even the Mediterranean. Planet Deadly reports they thrive in waters between 54 and 75°F and love to hang out near seal colonies and along the coast.
2. Tiger Shark
With serrated teeth perfect for slicing through bone, tiger sharks are infamous predators with a taste for fish, seals, turtles, and even other sharks. Their sharp senses help them track prey from afar, and their scavenging nature adds to their dangerous reputation. According to Forbes, these sharks are responsible for at least 142 known attacks, making them a force to be reckoned with in the sea.
Tiger sharks are so voracious, that they don’t give up, even after realizing they’ve attacked a human, as noted by OutdoorGuide. Dubbed the “garbage cans of the sea,” they devour everything from fish and seabirds to debris. They are known to roam coastal waters, reefs, and offshore habitats.
Tiger sharks dominate tropical waters worldwide, often lurking in depths over 20 feet. These heavyweights, reach over 16 feet and weigh a ton. Second only to great whites in fatal attacks, Planet Deadly says their reputation as man eaters is well earned, especially in Australia and Hawaii.
3. Bull Shark
The bull shark may not have the same fearsome reputation as the great white, but it can be just as deadly. These sharks prefer shallow waters, meaning there’s a greater chance of encountering one at your favorite beach. Ranked third in recorded attacks, Planet Deadly reports bull sharks have been involved in 104 incidents, a third of them fatal.
Found along the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico, bull sharks are highly aggressive and can thrive in both saltwater and freshwater, making human encounters more likely. A to Z Animals notes that males can grow up to seven feet, while females reach 11 feet, with adults weighing between 200 to 500 pounds. Their jaw force is an impressive 1,300 pounds. Because their diet mainly consists of fish, stingrays, and dolphins, they usually break away after realizing humans aren’t their typical prey.
To reduce the risk of an encounter, OutdoorGuide suggests avoiding swimming in areas where bull sharks are known to frequent. Respecting their habitat is crucial, given their territorial nature and strength.
4. Oceanic Whitetip
If you’re stranded in the ocean, watch out for whitetip sharks. Known for their bold and curious nature, these sharks often patrol open ocean waters and have been linked to numerous attacks on shipwreck survivors, according to Charting Nature. Their fearless behavior makes them a serious threat to anyone in their path.
The oceanic whitetip shark has a notorious reputation as a “man-eater.” Planet Deadly notes that during World War II, whitetips were believed to have caused hundreds of fatalities when ships sank. Known for their aggression and persistence, these sharks rarely back down, making them a formidable threat in the open ocean.
Oceanic whitetips are opportunistic hunters, feasting on everything from fish and squid to turtles and small whales. Their wide, rounded jaws packed with sharp, triangular teeth make quick work of their prey. Despite their moderate size—around six to 10 feet—these bold sharks pack a dangerous bite, especially when food competition heats up or they mistake humans for prey, adds Forbes.
5. Blacktip Shark
As HowStuffWorks points out, blacktip sharks are a common sight for Florida surfers, responsible for 16 percent of shark bites in the state. These sleek predators, averaging five feet in length, typically inflict minor injuries and pose no fatal threat. Though often near shore, blacktips have more to fear from humans, as they’re hunted for their meat and fins, earning a “near threatened” status worldwide.
While blacktips can be aggressive, OutdoorGuide says they’re generally not considered a serious threat to humans—though they’ve been involved in 35 non-fatal, unprovoked attacks. These sharks are most commonly encountered near river mouths or feeding grounds, where prey is plentiful.
These are the sharks you often see leaping out of the water, according to Charting Nature, thanks to their energetic nature. Despite their occasional encounters with humans, blacktips are more impressive acrobats than threats in the water.
6. Sand Tiger
Sand tiger sharks aren’t typically aggressive unless provoked, though their jagged teeth can give fishermen a scare. Despite 36 recorded attacks on humans, HowStuffWorks reports none have been fatal. These sharks roam most warm seas worldwide, particularly in the western Atlantic from Maine to Argentina, often lurking near shorelines and reefs during the summer months.
Mainly a nocturnal predator, sand tiger sharks spend the night searching for fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods. What sets this shark apart is its unique ability to gulp air at the surface, storing it in its stomach for buoyancy control. According to OutdoorGuide, this trick allows the sand tiger to hover effortlessly in the water, making it a stealthy and efficient hunter.
These guys look pretty fierce, but their appearance is worse than their bite unless of course one attacks you. Charting Nature says their powerful jaws can cause serious injury if provoked.
7. Shortfin Mako
The shortfin mako, which can travel at speeds of over 40 miles per hour, rounds out are list of the most deadly predators. Their streamlined bodies and sharp, serrated teeth make them efficient hunters, preying on fast-moving fish like tuna. Though attacks on humans are rare, Forbes says their size, strength, and powerful bite make encounters potentially dangerous.
With its pronounced pointed snout and large black eyes, the shortfin mako is arguably one of the most menacing-looking sharks. Averaging six to seven feet and weighing up to 300 pounds, these apex predators rely on their sharp senses—smell, hearing, and vision—rather than electroreception to hunt. Makos hunt from below, remaining unseen until the last moment, striking with the strongest shark bite ever recorded—roughly 3,000 pounds of force. Despite this power, there have been only 10 recorded attacks on humans with just one fatality, according to A to Z Animals.
This cousin of the great white is another shark that likes to jump out of the water. According to Planet Deadly, shortfin makos have occasionally landed on fishing boats, causing serious injuries.
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