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What Sharks Live Off the Coast of Galveston, Texas?

Instead of a normal fishing trip, imagine floating on the waters near Galveston, Texas, and reeling in a terrifying shark weighing in at 150 to 200 pounds. Or perhaps you are simply taking a swim or riding the waves at a local Galveston beach and see that familiar triangular fin making circles in the deep blue. The shark-infested waters of Galveston are home to several species of shark.

Blacktip Shark
- Blacktip sharks have a characteristic black tip on their fins.
  
  The name of the blacktip shark was coined from the black tips on its fin and nose. The noses of these sharks are sharply pointed and their pectoral fins are large. These sharks live up to 12 years of age and reach a length of eight-and-a-half feet long. Females are larger than males, weighing up to 55 pounds, while males are smaller with an average weight of 43 pounds. They feast on a diet of fish, including some bony fish. Blacktips are also commonly eaten by humans and are hunted off the coasts of Galveston.
Bull Shark
- Of all of the shark species, bull sharks are the most dangerous to humans. With their aggressive personalities and tendency to make their home near highly populated areas, bull sharks are more likely to attack swimmers and surfers than other sharks. Unlike the blacktip shark, the bull shark has a short, flat nose and is known to slam its head into prey before eating. Bull shark meat is eaten by humans but they are also hunted for their oils and grey-colored skin.
Tiger Shark
- The tiger shark loses it's stripes as it grows into adulthood.
  
  Tiger sharks are named for the tiger-like stripes on the younger members of this species. They are also very dangerous and are well known for their attacks on people. With their strong jaws and extremely sharp teeth, the tiger shark does not let its prey loose easily. Reaching a length of 20 to 25 feet and weighing close to 1,900 pounds, tiger sharks are one of the larger species of sharks. They are close to having threatened status as their fins, skin and meat are harvested often by fishermen.
Hammerhead Shark
- The hammerhead has a very unusual appearance compared to other sharks.
  
  These unusual looking sharks are not as aggressive toward humans as other species. Their heads are shaped in a way that provides optimum ability to discover prey, with their wide eyes being positioned for clear vision and special sensors that help them feel for food. These sharks migrate to cooler waters during the summer but stay in tropical waters during the winter. There are several groups of species with the hammerhead including the great hammerhead, which can reach a length of 20 feet and weigh up to 1,000 pounds.

Animals & Science