Florida Museum of Natural History
hdr_home (36K)
  HOME COLLECTION EDUCATION IMAGE GALLERY SOUTH FLORIDA ORGANIZATIONS MEETINGS STAFF
  SHARK TROPICAL
RESEARCH
FRESHWATER
RESEARCH
BIOLOGICAL
PROFILES
JUST FOR KIDS IN THE NEWS SITE LINKS FLMNH

Field Key to Sharks of North Carolina and Adjacent Waters

Florida Program for Shark Research


Thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus)
Biological Profile


thresher shark
Thresher shark
(Alopias vulpinus)
illustration ©FAO courtesy Species Identification and Biodata



Distinguishing Characteristics
1. Sickle-shaped caudal fin with extremely long upper lobe (about half the total body length)



thresher shark
Thresher shark
(Alopias vulpinus)
Specimen
courtesy National Marine Fisheries Service


thresher shark
Thresher shark
(Alopias vulpinus)
Specimen:Sickle-shaped caudal fin
courtesy National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration