What kind of shark would make you get out of the water?

[Stone]

TwoBitTxn once bubbled...
Ok. How many of you who have listed a specific species feel you could accurately identify that specific species underwater.

I only identified the bullshark (we see these too often). The big wide snout and very thick head and "shoulders" area make them easy to identifiy, but other species are pretty easy, too:

1) Whitetip, Silvertip, and Blacktip reef sharks are obvious (I've seen these).
2) Oceanic Whitetip (I have not seen) but besides the white tip on the dorsal, it has the roundest dorsal of any shark I can think of.
3) Like you said, nursesharks (seen 'em) are easy. Hammerheads and Great Whites (not seen 'em) are obvious.
4) Mako's are sharp featured, sleak, and have the big eyes (haven't seen one, but could recognize it)

I'm not sure I could easily distinguish between the "all grey" reefsharks like the grey reef, grey whaler, the silky, etc.

 

[Rick Murchison]

TwoBitTxn once bubbled...
Ok. How many of you who have listed a specific species feel you could accurately identify that specific species underwater.

Good question. Some are pretty easy, like telling a Bull from a Nurse. Some are more difficult, especially if vis isn't too good, like telling a Bull from a Blacktip if you only get a quick look at less than the whole shark, and some are damn near impossible, like telling a Blacktip from a Spinner even in good vis.
A more direct answer to your question, though, is a qualified "yes" - I'm sure there are circumstances where I'd make a false ID, but I'm pretty confident I would err on the safe side when in doubt.
Now, here's a little quiz... ID this one, taken when I was 14.
Bonus question: Which kid is me?
Rick

 

[cyklon_300]

this is an ok site, there's a number of other sites that are probably better...

http://www.mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/shark/english/atlantic.htm

 

[SM Diver]

Rick Murchison once bubbled...


Now, here's a little quiz... ID this one, taken when I was 14.
Bonus question: Which kid is me?

The one in the middle?

 

[jselz1]

All this talk of sharks made me dive back into my first photos of one. I had just assumed it was a black-tip reef shark. Common in my area. Now I realize it is something else. Thought grey reef next but dont think it is broad or chunky enough on the front end. Any help?

 

[jselz1]

Suppose it would help if I said where. Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, ocean side of the leeward reef, sharp drop-off, wall type feature.

 

[cyklon_300]

the black margin on the caudal fin (but absent on the primary dorsal fin) matches the description here:

http://www.shark.ch/cgi-bin/Sharks/spec_conv.pl?E+Carcharhinus.amblyrhynchos#GF

 

[Rick Murchison]

jselz1 once bubbled...
Suppose it would help if I said where. Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, ocean side of the leeward reef, sharp drop-off, wall type feature.

My first impression was "Atlantic Sharpnose" - but it isn't, not at Kwajalein... more likely some Pacific variety of Rhizoprionodon, my bet is acutus.
I do not believe it is a reef shark due to relative positioning of the pectorals relative to the anterior dorsal (dorsal is too far aft to be a reef shark), and the posterior dorsal all the way back further than the anal (in the reef shark the anal is aft of the posterior dorsal).
Still no ID on my snapshot from '61?

Rick

 

[Epinephelus]

1. Abort the dive - White; Oceanic Whitetip; maybe a big bull - I may stay down in good vis and they're staying calm, but then again, maybe not - I do not trust them; almost any shark that's acting strange or agitated.
2. ID - fairly comfortable with the bad ones
3. Rick's picture - nose looks mighty bullish, but from what I can see of the fins I think more likely a blacktip.
4. Which kid - I know Rick so I won't answer - the other kid is Robert.
5. Kwajalein shark - agree with Rick - looks like some kind of sharpnose.
E. itajara

 

[cyklon_300]

I think Rick M. properly ID's the shark at Kwajalein as R. acutus (milk shark).

In looking for shark photos online I found this site that's pretty comprehensive....


http://www.origins.tv/darwin/zoo/sharks.htm