shark8matt

Photographer, beer-brewer, drone pilot, scuba diver, & marine biologist

[Saving the Blue @savingtheblue]

Bull sharks (top) and Caribbean Reef sharks can inhabit the same habitats in the Bahamas and with their similar appearance, they are sometimes confused.

One of the most noticeable differences between the two is the much more stout body of the bull sharks. They are quite wide from their stomach to their backs while the Caribbean reef is significantly slimmer. Another feature to note is the size of the eyes. Bull sharks tend to have relatively small eyes compared to their body size. The fins can be a good indicator as well, the first dorsal of the bull sharks have a wide base while the reefs have a more slender dorsal. Can you spot any other differences?
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📸: @shark8matt

#shark #sharks #ocean #sharkfacts #sharkscience #marinebiology #sealife #wildlife #nature #saltlife

[Saving the Blue @savingtheblue]

Depending on the time of year the types of sharks we see can vary a bit. In the summer months we tend to see more smaller species, like blacknose as well as juvenile sharks. In the winter months we see larger sharks and have a higher chance of seeing Great Hammerheads.

However, there are two species we can always count on seeing all year round. Those are the lemon and the Caribbean reef. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see both of them at the same time!
〰️〰️〰️
📸: @shark8matt

#shark #sharks #reefshark #lemonshark #bahamas #ocean #saltlife #joinus

[Saving the Blue @savingtheblue]

One of the main roles sharks play is to ensure biodiversity. Sharks help keep prey populations in check which allows for different species to flourish.

If you take sharks out of an ecosystem, the larger predatory fish populations would increase, which then decreases the smaller fish species and throws the balance off.
〰〰〰
📸: @shark8matt

#sharks #shark #marinebiology #science #ocean #saltlife #sealife #wildlife

[Saving the Blue @savingtheblue]

Out of all the orders of sharks the Carcharhiniformes order, commonly known as ground sharks, is the largest.

Over 50% of all living shark species belong to this order including Caribbean reef, tiger and bull sharks!
〰️〰️〰️
📸: @shark8matt

#shark #sharks #sharkscience #marinebiology #bahamas #ocean #saltlife #sealife

[Saving the Blue @savingtheblue]

Mangroves are an extremely important habitat and Andros is full of them.

These mangrove channels are home to countless species like baby sharks who use the dense roots to hide from predators as well as learn how to hunt!
〰〰〰
📸: @shark8matt

#shark #sharks #ocean #bahamas #thebahamas #wildlifewednesday #saltlife #sealife #wildlife

[Saving the Blue @savingtheblue]

Bull sharks (top) and Caribbean Reef sharks can inhabit the same habitats in the Bahamas and with their similar appearance, they are sometimes confused.

One of the most noticeable differences between the two is the much more stout body of the bull sharks. They are quite wide from their stomach to their backs while the Caribbean reef is significantly slimmer. Another feature to note is the size of the eyes. Bull sharks tend to have relatively small eyes compared to their body size. The fins can be a good indicator as well, the first dorsal of the bull sharks have a wide base while the reefs have a more slender dorsal. Can you spot any other differences?
〰〰〰
📸: @shark8matt

#shark #sharks #ocean #sharkfacts #sharkscience #marinebiology #sealife #wildlife #nature #saltlife

[Saving the Blue @savingtheblue]

Despite their lazy reputation, nurse sharks are known for being tenacious when it comes to getting an easy meal. Using their powerful mouths, they are able to suck pieces of bait right through the gaps in the bait box.
〰️〰️〰️
📸: @shark8matt

#shark #sharks #nurseshark #ocean #bahamas #savesharks #saltlife #sealife

[Saving the Blue @savingtheblue]

Depending on the time of year the types of sharks we see can vary a bit. In the summer months we tend to see more smaller species, like blacknose as well as juvenile sharks. In the winter months we see larger sharks and have a higher chance of seeing Great Hammerheads.

However, there are two species we can always count on seeing all year round. Those are the lemon and the Caribbean reef. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see both of them at the same time!
〰️〰️〰️
📸: @shark8matt

#shark #sharks #reefshark #lemonshark #bahamas #ocean #saltlife #joinus

[Saving the Blue @savingtheblue]

Bull sharks (top) and Caribbean Reef sharks can inhabit the same habitats in the Bahamas and with their similar appearance, they are sometimes confused.

One of the most noticeable differences between the two is the much more stout body of the bull sharks. They are quite wide from their stomach to their backs while the Caribbean reef is significantly slimmer. Another feature to note is the size of the eyes. Bull sharks tend to have relatively small eyes compared to their body size. The fins can be a good indicator as well, the first dorsal of the bull sharks have a wide base while the reefs have a more slender dorsal. Can you spot any other differences?
〰〰〰
📸: @shark8matt

#shark #sharks #ocean #sharkfacts #sharkscience #marinebiology #sealife #wildlife #nature #saltlife

[Saving the Blue @savingtheblue]

Out of all the orders of sharks the Carcharhiniformes order, commonly known as ground sharks, is the largest.

Over 50% of all living shark species belong to this order including Caribbean reef, tiger and bull sharks!
〰️〰️〰️
📸: @shark8matt

#shark #sharks #sharkscience #marinebiology #bahamas #ocean #saltlife #sealife

[Saving the Blue @savingtheblue]

Overfishing is one of the largest threats to sharks. Many of the popular seafood items, like tuna, have a high bycatch volume, so just because you don’t eat shark unfortunately doesn’t mean that you’re not contributing to their population declines.

Knowing how your seafood is caught is essential in understanding your impact. Avoid seafood when you can and if you must eat it, find sustainable options and companies that strive to eliminate bycatch.

Spread the word and help others become educated on their food choices too 💙
〰️〰️〰️
📸: @shark8matt

#savesharks #shark #sharks #seafood #sustainability #bycatch #sharkresearch #ocean #saltlife #sealife

[Saving the Blue @savingtheblue]

Andros is a treasure trove of wildlife which is what makes it so important to our research. Wherever we go around the island, we usually don’t have to wait long for the sharks to show up.😍
〰️〰️〰️
📸: @shark8matt

#shark #sharks #sharkresearch #sharkscience #sharktagging #joinus #marinebiology #ocean #saltlife #sealife

[Saving the Blue @savingtheblue]

A fun little trivia Tuesday for you. The ocean water column is divided into 5 zones from the surface to the bottom of the deepest part of the ocean. Does anyone know the name of all five zones?
〰〰〰
📸: @shark8matt

#shark #ocean #marinebiology #triviatuesday #marinescience #saltlife #sealife

[Saving the Blue @savingtheblue]

Back in 2019 our team encountered our first Dusky shark. Now just this past weekend our team recaptured him! 2.5 years later and he is doing well and hanging out in the same spot he was tagged in 💥
📸: @shark8matt
#shark #sharks #throwbackthursday #lovesharks #ocean #saltlife

[shark8matt @shark8matt]

I took this image of a #whaleshark n my any years ago off of Mafia Island in #tanzania . I was lucky enough to study #whalesharks for several years in this location. The experience of being in the water with an animal with that combination of size, power, and grace Cathy be beat

[shark8matt @shark8matt]

A curious Caribbean reef #shark gives me a close inspection in a shallow lagoon of Andros island in the #bahamas . This place has large areas of mostly pristine habitat where type can find robust numbers of #sharks . #underwater #wildlifephotography #nature #wildlife #sealife

[shark8matt @shark8matt]

A #mobula #ray swam very close to me as it made a turn out of a deep channel off of Cocos Island, #CostaRica . They have a pretty similar body shapes to their giant cousins - manta #rays . I was lucky to have a friend get a shot of me taking the picture. #wildlife #underwater

[shark8matt @shark8matt]

A #mobula #ray swam very close to me as it made a turn out of a deep channel off of Cocos Island, #CostaRica . They have a pretty similar body shapes to their giant cousins - manta #rays . I was lucky to have a friend get a shot of me taking the picture. #wildlife #underwater

[shark8matt @shark8matt]

A large #bullshark takes a fish head from the dive masters in Beqa Lagoon. This #sharkdive is in the Shark Reef Marine Reserve off the southern side of Viti Levu island in #fiji . A couple dozen massive #bullsharks are common on this dive. #shark #sharks #underwater #scuba

[shark8matt @shark8matt]

Where the sea meets the sky is a special place to be. This is the rarely visited Marquesas Keys, located west of Key West. Part of the #floridakeys , this area has a few #mangrove lined islets surrounding a circular #lagoon . #nature #landscape #sunset #Florida #Dusk #silhouette