Salmon Shark
What is salmon shark?
Key facts
The salmon shark is a species of mackerel shark in the family Lamnidae, found throughout the North Pacific Ocean. It is named for its diet, which consists largely of Pacific salmon. It is often mistaken for white sharks due to their similar appearance.
Context
The salmon shark (Lamna ditropis) is a mackerel shark found in the North Pacific Ocean [2]. Its name comes from its diet of Pacific salmon [3]. It is often confused with white sharks due to similar appearance [4]. It is listed as Data Deficient by the IUCN Red List [5].
Documented claims
Related
- Great White Shark: Size, Diet, Habitat, and Behavior ExplainedThe article provides detailed facts about another shark species, which readers interested in salmon sharks may also find useful.
Questions and answers
Why is it called a salmon shark?
It is named for its diet, which consists largely of Pacific salmon [3].
Is the salmon shark related to the Great White?
Both are mackerel sharks in the family Lamnidae, but they are different species [1].
How big are salmon sharks?
Salmon sharks can grow to about 3 meters in length, but exact size varies [1].
Sources
- Salmon shark | Diet, Size, & Facts | Britannica — britannica.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- Salmon Shark – Discover Fishes - Florida Museum of Natural History — floridamuseum.ufl.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- Did you know... | College of Agricultural Sciences — marineresearch.oregonstate.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- Salmon Shark | Oregon Sea Grant — seagrant.oregonstate.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- AKU-B-86-00l — repository.library.noaa.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)