12 Types of Sharks in Alabama
12 types of sharks from sharks (superorder Selachii) have a verified observation record in Alabama. The most frequently recorded are Atlantic Stingray, Clearnose Skate and Common Blacktip Shark. Here is the full list, ranked by how often each is reported on iNaturalist.
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12 types of sharks from sharks (superorder Selachii) have a verified observation record in Alabama. The most frequently recorded are Atlantic Stingray, Clearnose Skate and Common Blacktip Shark. Here is the full list, ranked by how often each is reported on iNaturalist.
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Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
710 verified observations on iNaturalist of shark have been recorded in Alabama, most often in June, May, September.
| Species recorded in Alabama | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Atlantic Stingray | 129 |
| Clearnose Skate | 90 |
| Common Blacktip Shark | 70 |
| Atlantic Sharpnose Shark | 49 |
| Lessa's Butterfly Ray | 41 |
| Caribbean Electric Ray | 36 |
When shark are recorded in Alabama
Verified species, source iNaturalist
12 types of sharks recorded in Alabama
12 sharks species have a verified observation record in Alabama across sharks (superorder Selachii), each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
| # | Species | Scientific name | Verified records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlantic Stingray | Hypanus sabinus | 129 |
| 2 | Clearnose Skate | Rostroraja eglanteria | 90 |
| 3 | Common Blacktip Shark | Carcharhinus limbatus | 70 |
| 4 | Atlantic Sharpnose Shark | Rhizoprionodon terraenovae | 49 |
| 5 | Lessa's Butterfly Ray | Gymnura lessae | 41 |
| 6 | Caribbean Electric Ray | Narcine bancroftii | 36 |
| 7 | Bluntnose Stingray | Hypanus say | 35 |
| 8 | Bull Shark | Carcharhinus leucas | 27 |
| 9 | Cownose Ray | Rhinoptera bonasus | 20 |
| 10 | Southern Stingray | Hypanus americanus | 20 |
| 11 | Spinner Shark | Carcharhinus brevipinna | 11 |
| 12 | Atlantic Pygmy Devil Ray | Mobula hypostoma | 10 |
Plus 13 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations.
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Top Alabama Shark Gifts
The Atlantic Stingray (Hypanus sabinus) is the most commonly recorded, with 129 verified observations — about 24% of all sharks reported in Alabama. If you spot a shark here, it is statistically most likely to be this one.
Alabama also hosts less common sharks such as Clearnose Skate, Common Blacktip Shark and Atlantic Sharpnose Shark, each recorded fewer than 100 times. These are the species worth a second look when you are out, since a sighting is more notable.