Species Guide
Shark species of Cozumel & the Caribbean
The shark species documented through BiodiversityOS field research — identification features, conservation status, and behavioral patterns.
Caribbean Reef Shark
Carcharhinus perezi
The Caribbean Reef Shark is the most commonly encountered reef shark in the Caribbean Sea. A robust species with a typical requiem shark shape, it pla…
View full profileNurse Shark
Ginglymostoma cirratum
Nurse Sharks are one of the most recognizable sharks in the Caribbean, often seen resting on sandy bottoms during the day. Their docile nature and bot…
View full profileBull Shark
Carcharhinus leucas
Bull Sharks are powerful predators known for their ability to thrive in both salt and fresh water. In the Cozumel channel, they are seasonally observe…
View full profileWhale Shark
Rhincodon typus
The Whale Shark is the largest living fish species and a gentle giant of the ocean. Near Cozumel and the Yucatan coast, they gather seasonally to feed…
View full profileGreat Hammerhead Shark
Sphyrna mokarran
The Great Hammerhead is the largest of the hammerhead species and one of the most impressive predators in the Caribbean. Occasionally spotted in the d…
View full profileBlacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
Blacktip Sharks are fast, agile predators easily identified by the prominent black tips on their fins. Found in shallow coastal waters around Cozumel,…
View full profileLemon Shark
Negaprion brevirostris
Named for their yellowish-brown coloration, Lemon Sharks are found in the shallow tropical waters of the Caribbean. Mangrove areas around Cozumel serv…
View full profileTiger Shark
Galeocerdo cuvier
Tiger Sharks are large, powerful predators named for the dark vertical stripes on juvenile specimens. While uncommon in Cozumel, they are occasionally…
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