The picturesque mountains, magnificent waterfalls, and exotic beaches take North Carolina’s beauty to another level making it a perfect tourist spot. When talking about the beaches and other water bodies of NC, like estuaries and inlets, it is essential to know that they are home to quite some sharks, if not many. The state has around 20 shark species, of which the great white, tiger, and bull shark are the most dangerous. The Atlantic sharpnose, sandbar, and most other sharks are spotted in the NC waters in summer (June-August) and autumn (September-November).
The latest records of shark attacks assessed in 2021 by the International Shark Attack File show that North Carolina has had three unprovoked shark attacks with 0 fatalities.
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List of the Different Types of Sharks in North Carolina
| Species | Maximum Size | Aggressiveness |
| Great White Shark | 11-16 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Tiger Shark | 10-14 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Thresher Shark | 10-18 feet | Not aggressive |
| Scalloped Hammerhead Shark | 9-12 feet | Moderately aggressive |
| Dusky Shark | 9 -12 feet | Not aggressive (until provoked) |
| Bull Shark | 7-12 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Sand Tiger Shark | 7-10 feet | Not aggressive (due to their small mouths) |
| Spinner Shark | 7 -8 feet | Not aggressive |
| Blacktip Shark | 5-8 feet | Moderately aggressive |
| Sandbar Shark | 7-8 feet | Not aggressive |
| Blacknose Shark | 3-5 feet | Not aggressive |
| Atlantic Sharpnose Shark | 2-4 feet | Moderately aggressive |
| Lemon Shark | 9-10 feet | Not aggressive |
| Bonnethead Shark | 4-5 feet | Not aggressive |
| Finetooth Shark | 5-6 feet | Not aggressive |
| Smooth Dogfish | 4-5 feet | Not aggressive (due to their blunt teeth) |
| Great Hammerhead Shark | 12-18 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Smooth Hammerhead Shark | 8-12 feet | Not aggressive (but potentially dangerous) |
FAQs
1. Can you go cage diving with sharks in North Carolina?
3. Does North Carolina have a lot of Great white sharks?
4. Where is Shark Tooth Island in North Carolina?
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
