By Robin Street
Geographic Range
The thresher shark inhabits warm and temperate waters worldwide.
Biogeographic Regions:
indian ocean (native 
); atlantic ocean (native ); pacific ocean (native ).
Habitat
Threshers prefer cool pelagic waters but will wander into cold coastal areas as well.
Physical Description
(440 to 990 lbs)
The thresher shark can be recognized by its moderate-sized eyes, a dorsal fin located ahead of the origin of the pelvic fins, and a caudal fin about half the total length of the animal. Teeth are small, curved, and smooth. Color varies from metalic brown to black above and white below. Specimines may be 2.5-6.1 meters in lenghth.
Some key physical features:
bilateral symmetry .
Reproduction
Threshers are ovoviviparous. Females mature at around three meters. Litters usually consist of four to six pups measuring between 1.37-1.55 meters in length and weighing between 5-6 kg at birth.
Behavior
Thresher sharks are primarily a pelagic species, usually spotted far off shore unless they are pursuing a school of fish into shore.
Key behaviors:
natatorial ; motile .
Food Habits
The thresher shark feeds on small schooling fish such as bluefish, menhaden, shad, mackeral, and others. It stuns its prey with blows from its powerful tail. They are also known to feed on squid.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
As with many shark breeds, threshers often become entangled in fishing nets, posing a problem to the fishing industry. They are considered harmless to humans, although two boat attacks have been recorded.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Though uncommon in U.S. fish markets, threshers are consumed in other parts of the world. They are a sought after gamefish.
Conservation Status
This shark, though a popular gamefish, is quite common.
For More Information
Find Alopias vulpinus information at
Contributors
Robin Street (author), University of Michigan.
