The pelagic thresher shark has an extraordinarily long, whip-like tail that can be over half its body length! This special tail helps the shark herd and stun schools of fish before feeding.
The pelagic thresher is the smallest of the three thresher shark species, averaging about 3 meters (10 feet) long. Primarily an open-ocean dweller, this species inhabits the warm waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is easily recognized by its strikingly long upper caudal fin lobe, which can make up over half its body length. While hunting, thresher sharks likely use their elongated tail to slap the water and stun schooling fish, as well as to corral a school of prey into a tight ball, making it easier to catch and eat. They feed mostly on fish, such as herrings and mackerels, but will also eat pelagic squid.
Female pelagic thresher sharks give birth to live pups, typically producing a small litter of around two each year. Due to their slow reproductive rate, these sharks are particularly vulnerable to human-induced threats, making conservation efforts critical for their survival.