Thresher Shark (Alopias vulpinus)

In open blue water, the thresher shark moves like a whisper — long-tailed, elegant, and built for balance. With a single sweep of its extraordinary tail, it can stun prey in a flash of motion that vanishes as quickly as it appears.

Scientific Snapshot

A thresher shark gliding through deep blue water, its long tail trailing behind like a ribbon of silver light.

Scientific Name: Alopias vulpinus

Common Names: Thresher shark, fox shark

Average Size: Typically 3 to 4 meters (10–13 feet)

Habitat: Open ocean and coastal waters, often near deep drop-offs

Diet: Small schooling fish, squid, and pelagic prey

Conservation Status: Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)

Range: Worldwide in temperate and tropical seas

From the Field

The story…

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