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BIGEYE THRESHER
Alopias superciliosus
SIZE
To about 15 ft (4.6 m).
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
- Eyes large, directed upward
- Head with deep grooves on top forming "helmet"
- Caudal fin sickle-shaped, upper lobe extremely long (about 50 percent of total body length)
- Color dark purplish-brown or grayish-brown with dark metallic hues above; lighter coloring below, not extending above pectoral fins
- First dorsal fin originating well behind free tips of pectoral fins
DISTRIBUTION
NY to Cuba, including Gulf of Mexico.
HABITAT
Offshore at edge of continental shelf from surface to 1,640 ft (500 m).
SIMILAR SPECIES
Thresher shark has moderate-sized eyes directed laterally, white on abdomen extending above pectoral fins; lacks grooves on top of head.
MORE INFORMATION
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Text descriptions taken from Guide to Sharks, Tunas, & Billfishes of the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico |
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(File Modified Sep. 13 2011)
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