Animals

How many shark species exist today?

About 500

Background

About 500 shark species are known today (more precisely around 540, per the IUCN Shark Specialist Group). The smallest is the Dwarf Lanternshark at just 20 centimeters. The largest is the Whale Shark, up to 12 meters long. About a third of all shark species are threatened. The main reasons are overfishing and the shark fin trade. Over 50 new shark species have been discovered since the year 2000.

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