Ten of the Smallest Species of Sharks in the World
While you might think of something big and ferocious when you think of sharks not all of them are these big scary movie types. In fact, some of them you might even consider cute! These are not much of a threat to use human, but they might nibble the end of your small finger if you let them…
Ten of the Smallest Species of Sharks in the World
10 – Spined Pygmy Shark – Average Adult Length: 11 in (28 cm)
This super-small species of dogfish shark has a slender, cigar-shaped body but it also has a sizable conical snout and low second dorsal fin.
Lollipop Catshark
9 – Lollipop Catshark – Average Adult Length: 11 in (28 cm)
Easily identified thank to its tadpole-like body shape. The large head houses expanded gills, which are thought to be an adaptation for low oxygen conditions.
Granular Dogfish
8 – Granular Dogfish – Average Adult Length: 11 in (28 cm)
This shark is easily identified because it has no anal fin! Its long abdomen and large eyes make this shark one of the most unusual of all shark species.
Pygmy Shark
7 – Pygmy Shark – Average Adult Length: 10.6 in (27 cm)
This sleeper shark of the Dalatiidae family is ovoviviparous (embryos that develop inside eggs remain in the mother’s body until they are ready to hatch) and produce about eight young in each litter.
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6 – Green Lanternshark – Average Adult Length: 10.2 in (26 cm)
Often found in the continental slope below a depth of 350 m it has a small slender body and extra long tail which is often lighter than the rest of its brown body.
5 – Pygmy Ribbontail Catshark – Average Adult Length: 9.4 in (24 cm)
The Pygmy Ribbontail Catshark has a notable ribbon-like tail fin and mostly feeds on bony fish and even some small crabs if it gets a chance.
Atlantic Ghost Catshark
4 – Atlantic Ghost Catshark – Average Adult Length: 9.25 in (25 cm)
Very little is known about this ghostly deepwater shark other than it being oviparous and threatened in the future by an expansion of deep-water fisheries.
Panama Ghost Catshark
3 – Panama Ghost Catshark – Average Adult Length: 9.1 in (23 cm)
This lesser-known catshark of the family Scyliorhinidae is only found off Panama. Much like many of the other sharks on this list it is oviparous.
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2 – Dwarf Lanternshark – Average Adult Length: 8.3 in (21.2 cm)
First thought to have been the worlds smallest species of shark it was only outshone by our number 1 species. This sharks long flattened head and pattern of black ventral markings makes it pretty easy to identify.
1 – Pale Catshark – Average Adult Length: 8.2 in (21 cm)
This super-rare catshark of the family Scyliorhinidae has only ever been caught and identified as a new species once, but due to its tiny size, I suppose they caught one!