California has over 30 shark species, mostly found along the coastline. While the cat and pygmy sharks barely grow to 2 feet in height, the bigger ones, like the thresher and great white, are enormous, measuring as much as 15 feet.
Of all the species, the great white shark is abundant here and concentrated in great numbers along regions like Tomales Point, Ano Nuevo Island, and Bird Rock. Since 1950 California has witnessed around 209 shark attacks, of which 185 came from the great whites. These sharks were even responsible for the 15 deaths that resulted from the injuries.
List of Sharks in California
| Species | Maximum Size | Aggressiveness |
Great White Shark |
11-16 feet | Highly aggressive |
Blue Shark |
6-11 feet | Not aggressive |
Shortfin Mako Shark |
6.5-9.5 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Common Thresher Shark | 12-18 feet | Not aggressive |
Broadnose Sevengill Shark |
3.5-7.5 feet | Not aggressive (unless caught) |
| Smooth Hammerhead Shark | 8-12 feet | Not aggressive (but are potentially dangerous) |
Leopard Shark |
6-7 feet | Not aggressive |
| Angel Shark | 4-7 feet | Moderately aggressive |
| Horn Shark | 3-4 feet | Moderately aggressive |
Swell Shark |
2.5 – 4.5 feet | Not aggressive |
| Common Smooth-hound Shark | 3-4 feet | Not aggressive |
| School Shark | 6-7 feet | Not aggressive |
| Pacific Angel Shark | 4-5 feet | Not aggressive |
| Gray Smooth-hound Shark | 4-6 feet | Not aggressive |
| Frilled Shark | 4-5 feet | Not aggressive |
| Bluntnose Sixgill Shark | 15-18 feet | Not aggressive (unless provoked) |
| Prickly Shark | 13-15 feet | Not aggressive |
| Brown Catshark | 1-2 feet | Not aggressive |
| Combtooth Dogfish | 1.5-2.5 feet | Not aggressive |
| Pacific Sleeper Shark | 12-15 feet | Not aggressive |
Pygmy Shark |
1-2 feet | Not aggressive |
Cookiecutter Shark |
1.5-3.5 feet | Not aggressive |
| Mexican Horn Shark | 3-5 feet | Not aggressive (unless provoked) |
Whale Shark |
18-32 feet | Not aggressive |
Nurse Shark |
18-32 feet | Not aggressive |
Goblin Shark |
7-8 feet | Not aggressive |
| Ragged-tooth Shark | 8-10 feet | Not aggressive (unless provoked) |
| Megamouth Shark | 13-18 feet | Not aggressive |
| Pelagic Thresher | 13-18 feet | Not aggressive |
Bigeye Thresher Shark |
11-16 feet | Not aggressive |
| Common Thresher Shark | 11-16 feet | Not aggressive |
| Crocodile Shark | 2.5-4 feet | Not aggressive |
Basking Shark |
23-30 feet | Not aggressive |
| Filetail Catshark | 3-5 feet | Not aggressive |
| Oceanic Whitetip Shark | 5-8 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Brown Smooth-hound | 1.5-2.5 feet | Not aggressive |
Cities:
Sharks in Los Angeles |
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FAQs
1. Which sharks are found in southern California?
The common shark species found in southern California include the school shark, broadnose sevengill shark, horn shark, and Pacific angel shark.
2. Can you swim with sharks in California?
California is one of the famous shark diving destinations where one could have a gala time swimming with the sharks all year round. The experienced divers could go cage diving and have a more direct interaction with the sharks. In contrast, those seeking a little less adventure but a perfect experience could prefer watching the different species from their boat.
3. Is shark fishing legal in California?
Shark fishing is allowed throughout the year in California, except for the great white shark. Infact, catching a great white shark is illegal here as they have been protected since 1st January 1994.
4. Are there bull sharks in California?
Bull sharks can be rarely found in southern California.
