Shark identification

The following sharks are amongst the most dangerous species that inhabit Queensland waters.

Bull whaler shark

Other common names: Zambezi shark, river whaler

Family: Carchardinae

Scientific name: Carchardinus leucas

Distribution: Along the entire Queensland coast, and in estuaries, canals and rivers.

Identification: The bull whaler is characterised by its large stocky torpedo-shaped body and blunt snout.The dorsal surface ranges from light to dark grey and the ventral surface is pale. There is a pale stripe on each side of the body. Juvenile bull whalers have been recorded with dark fin tips. Adults are between1.5 m and 4 m in length, commonly 1.5 to 2 m in estuarine areas.

Tiger shark

Family: Carcharhinidae

Scientific Name: Galeocerdo cuvier

Distribution: Along the entire Queensland coast.

Identification: The tiger shark has a torpedo body shape with a large broad, blunt snout. Adults are between 3 m and 6 m in length. The dorsal surface ranges from light dark-grey to blue-grey. The dorsal side of the body also possesses characteristic dark stripes, much like tiger stripes. The ventral side of the body is usually white but can have a slight yellowness to it.

White pointer

Other common names: Great white, white death, white shark

Family: Lamnidae

Scientific name: Carcharadon carcharias

Distribution: Generally more common in temperate waters in the southern parts of Queensland. However, it would not be unusual to record them in the northern parts of the state due to their ability to tolerate differing extremes in temperature.

Identification: The white pointer has a torpedo (large in the middle and tapered at both ends) body shape. The snout of this shark is pointed. Adults are between 3 m and 6 m in length. The white pointer is light grey to dark grey in colour and can even have a brownish colour to the dorsal side of the body. The ventral side of the body is white. Some may have a dark patch at the axil of the pectoral fin, especially in the Northern Hemisphere.

Hammerhead

Other common names: Great hammerhead shark

Family: Sphyrnidae

Scientific name: Sphyrna mokarran

Distribution: Along the entire Queensland coast.

Identification: Hammerheads have a relatively flat front edge to the snout. Adults are between 2 m and 6 m in length. The dorsal fin is very high and is located directly above the pectoral fin inner margins. The dorsal side of the body can range from brown to grey and the ventral side of the body is pale.

For more identification information on these and other shark species, download A guide to common large sharks of Queensland (  PDF 1.23 MB) Warning-This file is large and may take some time to download!

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Last updated 31 March 2006