Nurse Shark

Shallow coral and rocky reefs, sand flats, seagrass beds and mangrove channels from intertidal pools to ≈ 70 m; in Costa Rica abundant around Isla del Caño, Golfo Dulce, Bahía Culebra, and Caribbean patch reefs of Cahuita.

Tiger Shark

Powerful, blunt‑snouted requiem shark easily recognised by dark vertical bars and blotches on a bluish‑grey to olive dorsum (most vivid in juveniles, fading in large adults). Body robust with pronounced keel on caudal peduncle and a low interdorsal ridge absent. First dorsal fin large, apex rounded; second dorsal and anal relatively small.

Silky Shark

Slender, oceanic requiem shark with a notably silky‑smooth skin created by densely packed dermal denticles. First dorsal fin moderately tall, origin behind pectoral free tips; second dorsal possesses a long free rear tip. Pectorals long, narrow, falcate. Snout long and rounded; eyes large with nictitating membranes. Colour uniform dark bronzy‑grey above, white below; no distinct fin markings except faint dusky tips in juveniles. Adults average 2.2–2.6 m TL (maximum 3.5 m) and 150‑170 kg. Teeth: upper narrow, serrated; lower slender, semi‑erect. Sexual dimorphism minimal—females slightly larger, males with claspers.