spinner shark

Also known as: Carcharhinus maculipinnis

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July 15, 2026

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The spinner shark, scientifically known as Carcharhinus brevipinna, is a species of requiem shark found in warm and temperate ocean waters worldwide. This shark is characterized by its dark fin tips and can grow up to approximately 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in length.1

Spinner sharks are carnivorous and have a broad diet, typically feeding on fish and other marine animals. They are known for their distinctive behavior of leaping out of the water and spinning in the air, which gives them their name. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) lists the spinner shark as a vulnerable species.231

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carcharhinid
…somewhat larger large blacktip, or spinner shark (C. brevipinna). One small species, C. melanopterus, is found in shallow Indo-Pacific waters. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) lists each of these as vulnerable species.
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…somewhat larger large blacktip, or spinner shark (C. brevipinna). One small species, C. melanopterus, is found in shallow Indo-Pacific waters. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) lists each of these as vulnerable species.
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