12 Sharks Known for Their Aggressive Behavior

Main Points

Sharks often get a bad rap, but are they truly as dangerous as people think? Surprisingly, cows are statistically more likely to cause fatalities than sharks [source: Faletto]. Yet, you won’t see any blockbuster films about terrifying cow storms.

Sharks symbolize the mysterious and the unfamiliar for many. Any shark exceeding 6 feet (1.8 meters) in length poses a potential risk to humans due to its size and adaptations like powerful jaws and robust teeth, which support its growth [sources: Burgess, Ritter]. These sharks aren’t actively seeking humans as prey, but a single bite could result in severe injury.

Although the shark heading your way might seem like the most aggressive, it’s important to note that fewer than 10 percent of the hundreds of known shark species have been involved in human attacks [source: Martin].

Out of the roughly 30 shark species linked to attacks, which are the most hazardous and aggressive? Let’s dive into the data, myths, and fearsome teeth to uncover the truth. These 10 species lead the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) records, documenting incidents worldwide from 1580 to today [source: ISAF].

1: Great White Shark (351 Known Attacks, 59 Fatalities)

The great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) earned its fearsome reputation, inspiring films like "Jaws," and tops the list for unprovoked attacks on humans and boats, as well as fatalities. To date, this species has been linked to 354 unprovoked attacks, including 57 deaths [source: ISAF].

Peter Benchley, author of "Jaws," admitted in 2001 that he wouldn't have written the book if he had known then what he knows now about great white sharks [source: McCarthy]. Contrary to their portrayal as mindless killers, great whites are highly curious creatures. They may bite humans out of curiosity but rarely return for more, as humans lack the fatty blubber that makes seals and sea lions their preferred prey.

Some scientists suggest that great whites may confuse surfers on boards with seals, particularly younger sharks. Researchers believe these juveniles are in the early stages of learning to hunt seals and sea lions, leading to such errors.

For the unfortunate individual caught in the jaws of a great white shark, whether it’s a case of mistaken identity or not becomes irrelevant. A single "taste bite" from this predator can remove 20 to 30 pounds (9 to 14 kilograms) of flesh, with a bite force exceeding 4,000 PSI [source: Brown]. Such a bite can lead to fatal blood loss or severe damage to internal organs.

Most swimmers have little reason to fear encountering a great white shark, as they typically inhabit deep waters and are relatively uncommon. However, their rarity only adds to their mystique and fear factor.

2: Tiger Shark (142 Known Attacks, 39 Fatalities)

Tiger sharks don’t target humans as prey, but they aren’t selective eaters either. Items like coal, paint cans, cigarette packs, and even Senegalese drums have been discovered in the stomachs of tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier), showcasing their ability to consume almost anything [source: Parker]. Unlike other sharks that might release a human after a test bite, tiger sharks are more likely to hold on once they’ve taken a bite.

If a tiger shark decides to keep feeding, the experience is nothing short of horrifying. Their jaws are equipped with elastic muscles, enabling them to swallow prey much larger than their mouths suggest. Once caught in the grip of their razor-sharp teeth, which can slice through almost anything, escape is nearly impossible. Even sea turtles, with their tough shells, are no match for these formidable predators.

The powerful teeth of tiger sharks, capable of tearing through prey in seconds, have been linked to 142 attacks on humans, including 39 fatalities [source: ISAF].

3: Bull Shark (119 Known Attacks, 26 Fatalities)

The bull shark’s record is striking, with 119 attacks, including 26 unprovoked fatalities, securing its place as one of the top three most dangerous sharks [source: ISAF]. True to its name, the bull shark is fiercely aggressive.

While the tiger shark has more recorded attacks and fatalities than the bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas), many experts believe bull sharks are underreported and may be responsible for numerous attacks attributed to tiger sharks and great whites.

Bull sharks are particularly dangerous due to their frequent interactions with humans. They thrive in both saltwater and freshwater and are often found in shallow waters where people swim or walk. Their territorial nature means that even a casual swimmer could unknowingly provoke an attack.

4: Requiem Shark (51 Known Attacks, 5 Fatalities)

Requiem sharks, comprising 12 genera and roughly 50 species, have a name that sounds ominous. For spear fishermen, they pose a significant threat due to their ability to detect low-frequency vibrations from struggling fish. Once they sense blood, their aggressive nature takes over, making them dangerous.

Encountering requiem sharks in the water can be perilous. These fast, torpedo-shaped predators, which travel alone or in groups, possess large mouths lined with sharp, serrated teeth [source: Randall]. They have been involved in 51 attacks on humans, including five fatalities [source: ISAF].

What makes requiem sharks even more intimidating is the unique threat display exhibited by some species, like the gray reef shark. They swim sideways, toss their heads dramatically, arch their backs, lower their pectoral fins, and snap their jaws aggressively. If you encounter a shark displaying this behavior, it’s wise to retreat slowly. Requiem sharks vary in size, with the largest reaching over 24 feet (7.3 meters), often making them the dominant predators in their habitat [source: Beller].

On a positive note, requiem sharks are voracious feeders that typically prey on a wide range of creatures, including other sharks, rays, squid, octopus, lobster, turtles, marine mammals, and sea birds, rather than humans [source: Randall].

5: Sand Tiger Shark (36 Known Attacks, 0 Fatalities)

According to researchers, sand tiger sharks are typically not aggressive toward humans unless provoked. However, their intimidating, jagged teeth can be alarming, especially for fishermen encountering them [source: Florida Museum of Natural History]. Despite 36 recorded attacks, none have resulted in fatalities [source: ISAF].

The sand tiger shark (Carcharias Taurus) inhabits warm seas worldwide, excluding the eastern Pacific. In the western Atlantic, they range from the Gulf of Maine to Argentina, often migrating to Cape Cod and Delaware Bay during summer.

These sharks are commonly found near shorelines, at depths between 6 and 626 feet (1.8 to 191 meters), and frequent shallow bays, coral reefs, rocky reefs, and occasionally deeper continental shelf areas.

Sand tiger sharks are large and robust, with flattened conical snouts and elongated mouths that stretch beyond their eyes. They often display dark reddish or brown spots on their bodies. Females can grow over 10 feet (3 meters), while males typically measure just under 10 feet.

Sand tigers have a diverse diet, including herring, mullets, and rays. They sometimes hunt in groups, coordinating to surround and herd their prey. They are fished for food in the north Pacific, northern Indian Ocean, and tropical west coast of Africa. The IUCN lists them as a "vulnerable" species [source: Florida Museum of Natural History].

6: Blacktip Shark (35 Known Attacks, 0 Fatalities)

Florida surfers are likely familiar with the blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus), as it is responsible for approximately 15 percent of shark bites in the state. Blacktip sharks have also bitten humans along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the U.S., as well as near South Africa and the Caribbean.

On a positive note, blacktip sharks, which typically inhabit depths of around 10 feet (3 meters), are relatively small, averaging 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length and 40 pounds (18 kilograms) in weight. Their bites usually result in minor injuries [source: Florida Museum of Natural History]. There have been 35 recorded attacks by blacktip sharks, none of which were fatal [source: ISAF].

While blacktip sharks typically favor saltwater environments, they are also frequently found near river mouths, bays, mangrove swamps, and other estuaries. Their name comes from the distinctive black markings on the tips of their fins. They have robust bodies, moderately long, pointed snouts, and high, pointed first dorsal fins. Their upper bodies are dark gray-blue or brown, with white underbellies and a noticeable white band along their sides.

Blacktip sharks primarily feed on small schooling fish like herring and sardines, but they also consume larger bony fish such as catfish and grouper. They have been known to prey on small sharks, stingrays, crustaceans, and squids.

It’s important to note that, like many shark species, blacktip sharks face greater threats from humans than humans do from them. They are caught by fishermen for their meat, which is consumed by humans or used as fish meal for animals. Their fins are also sold in Asian markets for shark fin soup. The IUCN lists blacktip sharks as "near threatened" globally and "vulnerable" in the Northwest Atlantic [source: Florida Museum of Natural History].

7: Wobbegong (31 Known Attacks, 0 Fatalities)

The name "wobbegong" refers to several species of sharks in the genus Orectolobus and originates from an Australian Aboriginal term meaning "shaggy beard." These carpet sharks are ambush predators, lying in wait on the seabed to catch crustaceans and fish [source: Smithsonian Ocean].

Despite their unassuming appearance, wobbegongs have been involved in at least 31 attacks on humans, though none have been fatal [source: ISAF]. The spotted wobbegong (Orectolobus maculatus), in particular, has shown aggression toward humans, with at least four documented attacks.

There are reports of unprovoked attacks on divers, as well as incidents where wobbegongs bit people who stepped on them or got too close to their mouths, possibly mistaking them for prey [source: Florida Museum]. Once a wobbegong bites, it tends to hold on stubbornly, often causing severe injuries [source: Florida Museum].

Despite their potential danger, wobbegongs face greater threats from humans than humans do from them. They are frequently caught in trawler nets and lobster pots, and spearfishermen often target them as well [source: Florida Museum].

8: Hammerhead Shark (18 Known Attacks, 0 Fatalities)

Hammerhead sharks are easily recognizable due to their uniquely shaped heads, which improve their sensory abilities and aid in locating prey. Their diet mainly consists of fish, squid, octopus, and crustaceans, with some species showing a particular preference for stingrays.

Although hammerhead sharks are typically not aggressive toward humans, larger species such as the great hammerhead can exhibit territorial behavior, particularly when they feel threatened. These sharks are found in warm tropical and subtropical waters globally, often near coastlines and continental shelves.

9: Spinner Shark (16 Known Attacks, 0 Fatalities)

Spinner sharks mainly prey on schools of small fish like sardines and herring, as well as squid and other cephalopods. While they are not typically aggressive toward humans, they may bite if provoked or confused in murky waters. Their spinning behavior, used for hunting, also makes them a fascinating sight for divers and marine enthusiasts.

These sharks are commonly found in warm subtropical and tropical waters, often near coastlines, continental shelves, and coral reefs.

10: Bronze Whaler (16 Known Attacks, 1 Fatality)

The bronze whaler shark (Carcharhinus brachyurus) derives its name from its gray to olive-green hue [source: ISAF]. These sharks are large, with males reaching 6.6 to 7.5 feet (2 to 2.3 meters) and females growing up to 7.9 feet (2.4 meters). They are characterized by outwardly hooked teeth, moderately broad snouts, and bulges at the base of their upper tail fins [source: Shark Research Institute].

Bronze whalers inhabit temperate waters globally, with isolated populations that rarely intermingle. They are commercially significant in New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, and South Africa, where they are caught using bottom trawls, line gear, and by sport fishermen for human consumption.

Since 1962, bronze whaler sharks have been involved in 16 attacks on humans, with only one resulting in a fatality [source: ISAF].

Bronze whalers are frequently spotted near shorelines, feeding on schools of fish, sometimes even in the surf, which can bring them close to humans. They exhibit seasonal migration in parts of their range, such as along the southern African coast, where they follow massive sardine migrations. These sharks are fast and active, capable of leaping out of the water [source: Shark Research Institute].

11: Blacktip Reef (14 Known Attacks, 3 Fatalities)

Blacktip reef sharks are small to medium-sized sharks known for the distinctive black tips on their fins. They primarily hunt small fish, crustaceans, squid, and occasionally octopus in shallow reef environments. While generally shy and nonaggressive, they may bite if provoked or if food is involved in murky conditions.

These sharks are a favorite among divers due to their inquisitive behavior and are often seen swimming near coral reefs in shallow tropical waters. They are widespread in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, including areas like Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Red Sea.

12: Oceanic Whitetip Shark (12 Known Attacks, 3 Fatalities)

The oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) has only 12 unprovoked attacks and three fatalities recorded, but this may be due to its tendency to leave little evidence behind [source: ISAF]. Renowned marine explorer Jacques Cousteau considered this shark one of the most dangerous due to its bold and fearless nature when assessing prey.

Inhabiting deep waters, this shark became infamous during wartime, preying on soldiers stranded in the ocean after their ships were attacked. Often the first to arrive at shipwreck sites, it is believed to have consumed many servicemen, though these incidents are not fully documented. Notably, the whitetip is thought to have fed on many of the 800 men lost when the Nova Scotia sank during World War II [source: Levine].

The oceanic whitetip is among the most abundant large fish in the ocean. Divers who encounter it describe it as bold and assertive, unfazed by defensive measures. It is known for its persistent and aggressive curiosity toward divers.

Shark Attacks by Country

In 2023, there were 69 confirmed shark attacks worldwide. Here’s a breakdown by location:

Shark Attacks in the United States

The majority of the 36 unprovoked shark bites in the United States occurred in Florida.