There are 15 species of sharks found on the Oregon Coast: Here’s what they look like

John Ross Ferrara
·3 min read

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Oregon Coast is home to 15 different species of sharks, which range in size from 32-foot giants to 2-foot brown cat sharks, Oregon State University’s Hatfield Visitor Center says.

“Fifteen species may not seem like many, but they represent enough variety to fascinate shark lovers and phobics alike,” OSU’s Hatfield Visitor Center states. “In our waters, we have a shark that’s indigo blue and a shark with electric-green eyes. We have one of the four most dangerous sharks in the world and a shark that never eats people but which, when eaten by humans, can intoxicate them.”

  • basking shark
    The basking shark is the second largest shark species on earth and can grow up to 32 feet in length. Its habitat varies from coastal waters to offshore depths of 1,600 feet or more. (Photo and info courtesy of Oregon State University)
  • shark
    The great white mainly lives near the shore but can also be found in open ocean. The great white can reach a length of 21 feet. (Getty Images)
  • sixgill shark
    Thresher’s can grow up to 20 feet long and known for their long, scythe-like caudal fins. This photo shows measurements being taken on a thresher shark that washed up on the Washington coast Friday, September 2, 2022 (Seaside Aquarium)
  • The sixgill shark is known as a voracious eater and can hunt large prey like swordfish and dolphins. The sixgill can grow close to 16 feet long and lives in deep water along the continental shelf. (Oregon State University)
    The sixgill shark is known as a voracious eater and can hunt large prey like swordfish and dolphins. The sixgill can grow close to 16 feet long and lives in deep water along the continental shelf. (Oregon State University)
  • The Pacific sleeper shark, which grows up to 14.4 feet long, is slightly toxic to humans and can cause causes symptoms of drunkenness when eaten. (Oregon State University)
    The Pacific sleeper shark, which grows up to 14.4 feet long, is slightly toxic to humans and can cause causes symptoms of drunkenness when eaten. (Oregon State University)
  • In this photo provided by Greenpeace dated 14 July 2012 shows a blue shark near the Azores. Blue sharks grow up to 13 feet long and is one of the most common sharks in the world. (Robert Marc Lehmann/Greenpeace via AP)
    In this photo provided by Greenpeace dated 14 July 2012 shows a blue shark near the Azores. Blue sharks grow up to 13 feet long and is one of the most common sharks in the world. (Robert Marc Lehmann/Greenpeace via AP)
  • This undated photo provided by Dr. Greg Skomal in January 2021 shows a shortfin mako shark. In a study published on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, researchers found the abundance of oceanic sharks and rays has dropped more than 70% between 1970 and 2018. (Greg Skomal via AP)
    This undated photo provided by Dr. Greg Skomal in January 2021 shows a shortfin mako shark. In a study published on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, researchers found the abundance of oceanic sharks and rays has dropped more than 70% between 1970 and 2018. (Greg Skomal via AP)
  • A salmon shark washed ashore in Pacific City. Although they only grow to 10 feet in length, salmon sharks are often confused for great whites. They are known to hunt in groups of 30 to 40. (Photo by Jill Boyle)
    A salmon shark washed ashore in Pacific City. Although they only grow to 10 feet in length, salmon sharks are often confused for great whites. They are known to hunt in groups of 30 to 40. (Photo by Jill Boyle)
  • sevengill shark
    Sevengill sharks grow close to 10 feet in length and are often seen in marine aquariums. (Oregon Coast Aquarium)
  • Soupfin sharks can live for 60 years and grow to 6.5 feet in length. (Oregon State University)
    Soupfin sharks can live for 60 years and grow to 6.5 feet in length. (Oregon State University)
  • leopard shark_1532546166792.jpg.jpg
    Oregon State University states that leopard sharks are “gregarious creatures” that often swims in large schools.
  • The Pacific angel shark, which grows to 5 feet in length, is also known as the “monkfish” because the shape of its head resembles the hood on a monk’s robe. (Oregon State University)
    The Pacific angel shark, which grows to 5 feet in length, is also known as the “monkfish” because the shape of its head resembles the hood on a monk’s robe. (Oregon State University)
  • The spiny dogfish grows to 4.3 feet and has mildly toxic dorsal fins that can injure humans. (NOAA Fisheries)
    The spiny dogfish grows to 4.3 feet and has mildly toxic dorsal fins that can injure humans. (NOAA Fisheries)
  • The brown smoothhound shark grow to only 3.3. feet in length. (Oregon State University)
    The brown smoothhound shark grow to only 3.3. feet in length. (Oregon State University)
  • At 2.25 feet, the brown cat shark is the smallest shark found in Oregon. However, there are 106 different species of cat sharks, making them the largest family of sharks in the world. (Oregon State University)
    At 2.25 feet, the brown cat shark is the smallest shark found in Oregon. However, there are 106 different species of cat sharks, making them the largest family of sharks in the world. (Oregon State University)
  • Oregon sharks
    Oregon’s sharks from big to small. (Oregon State University)

What are the chances of a shark attack on the Oregon Coast?

The types of sharks found on the Oregon Coast include the basking shark, the great white, the common thresher, the sixgill, the Pacific sleeper, the blue shark, the shortfin mako, the salmon shark, the sevengill, the soupfin, the leopard shark, the Pacific angel, the spiny dogfish, the brown smoothhound and the brown cat shark. Check out each species in the slideshow included above.

Sharks have existed for more than 400-million years and have survived five mass extinctions, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife states. There are more than 500 species of sharks worldwide.

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