Thresher Sharks

Thresher shark is a species of shark that is known for its long, scythe-like tail fin which it uses to herd and stun schools of small fish. They belong to the shark family Alopiidae.

Thresher sharks are found in temperate and tropical waters worldwide. They are generally found in open ocean areas near continental shelves, islands, and seamounts, but can also be seen close to shore in some regions. Some of the places where thresher sharks are commonly found include the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea.

Thresher sharks primarily feed on small pelagic fish. They have also been known to feed on squid and crustaceans.

The lifespan of thresher sharks is not well understood, but it is estimated to be between 20 and 50 years.

Thresher sharks are ovoviviparous, meaning the pups grow within eggs inside the body and then the female will give birth to them once they hatch out. Female thresher sharks can produce several litters over the course of their lifetime.

Thresher sharks are considered to be vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to overfishing and bycatch in commercial fishing operations. The species is also vulnerable to habitat degradation and destruction, as well as climate change and ocean acidification.

Thresher sharks are relatively fast swimmers and are capable of reaching speeds of up to 37 mph, however, they cannot sustain speed while swimming and generally swim at a more leisurely pace.