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Global Animal Guide

Where Do Thresher Sharks Live?

Quick answer

Thresher Sharks are native to Africa and Asia and Europe and North America and Oceania and South America. Circumglobal in temperate and tropical open oceans — common threshers in Atlantic and Pacific.

By the Global Animal Guide editorial team Last reviewed How we research & review

Native range

Circumglobal in temperate and tropical open oceans — common threshers in Atlantic and Pacific.

Continents and countries

Thresher Sharks occur across Africa and Asia and Europe and North America and Oceania and South America. Local populations depend on intact habitat, prey or food plants, and freedom from persecution.

Habitat types

Temperate and tropical open oceans worldwide provide shelter and feeding grounds. Seasonal movement may follow rains, prey migrations, or breeding cycles.

Range changes

Historic range may exceed current distribution. Habitat loss, hunting, and climate shifts continue to affect where thresher sharks persist today.

FAQs

Where do thresher sharks live in the wild?

Circumglobal in temperate and tropical open oceans — common threshers in Atlantic and Pacific.

What do thresher sharks eat?

They feed on carnivore — small fish and squid, varying by season and local habitat.

Are thresher sharks endangered?

Thresher Sharks are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

How big is a thresher shark?

Adults weigh about 200 kg and reach roughly 5 m long.

Sources

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