Five most common shark species in Lowcountry waters

Gray body with black markings on all but the rear bottom fin, closest to the tail.

Grows up to 6 feet and lives longer than 10 years.

Found off the East Coast, from New England to Mexico, but most commonly located between North Carolina and Texas. Uses shallow inshore waters from South Carolina to Texas as nursery areas for their pups in the spring and summer.

Nearly identical to the blacktip, spinners are distinguishable by a longer snout and black coloring on the rear bottom fin, a marking the blacktip lacks.

Grows to about 9 feet and lives up to 20 years.

Found in coastal waters from Virginia to Florida.

Brownish-gray body with scattered white spots.

Grows to about 4 feet and lives up to 12 years.

Lives in coastal, shallow waters from New Jersey to Florida, often near surf zones, enclosed bays, sounds or harbors and marine to brackish estuaries.

Yellowish-gray to brown- or greenish-gray body, with a dusky, black blotch on the tip of the snout and possibly on the second dorsal fin.

Grows to about 4.5 feet and lives up to 19 years.

Lives in inshore coastal waters from North Carolina to Brazil. They nurse in coastal bays such as Bulls Bay off Awendaw in Charleston County.

Gray body, characterized by a flat, extended head.

Grows to about 13 feet and lives about 40 years.

Lives in coastal waters from North Carolina to Florida.

The Island Packet