The saw shark is a unique inhabitant of the ocean depths, instantly recognizable by its elongated, blade-like snout. This distinctive feature, known as a rostrum, is lined with sharp, tooth-like projections on both sides, giving the creature its common name. The striking appearance of this appendage naturally raises questions about the animal’s potential danger.
Are Saw Sharks a Threat to Humans?
Saw sharks pose virtually no threat to humans, a fact that contrasts sharply with their fearsome appearance. These creatures are relatively small, with most species reaching a maximum length of only about 4.5 to 5 feet. Their temperament is docile, and they lack the size and aggressive nature of larger, predatory sharks.
The saw-like rostrum is a highly specialized tool used exclusively for hunting and defense against larger marine predators. They employ the saw to detect small prey, like crustaceans and small fish, by sensing electrical fields on the seafloor. Once prey is located, the shark rapidly swings its head from side to side, slashing and stunning the targets before consuming them.
Encounters between saw sharks and humans are extremely rare and almost always incidental, typically occurring only when the animals are caught accidentally as bycatch in deep-sea fishing operations. Because their saw is not intended for attacking large mammals, there is no recorded history of unprovoked aggression toward people.
Key Differences Between Saw Sharks and Sawfish
The primary source of public confusion regarding the saw shark’s danger level stems from its frequent misidentification with the sawfish. While both possess a prominent, toothed rostrum, they belong to entirely different taxonomic groups and differ significantly in size and physical traits. Saw sharks are true sharks (Order Pristiophoriformes), whereas the sawfish is actually a type of ray (Order Pristiformes).
The most reliable way to distinguish between the two is by examining the location of their gill slits. Saw sharks, like all true sharks, have five or six gill slits located on the sides of their head. Conversely, the sawfish, being a ray, has its five gill slits positioned on the underside of its flattened body.
A dramatic difference in size further separates the two animals, which directly impacts their perceived threat. Saw sharks are slender, small-to-medium fish, rarely exceeding 5 feet in length. Sawfish, by contrast, are massive creatures that can grow up to 23 feet, making them one of the largest fish species in the world.
Physical differences in the rostrum itself are also evident upon closer inspection. Saw sharks possess a pair of prominent sensory barbels, or fleshy filaments, located about halfway down the saw, which are used to feel for prey. Sawfish lack these barbels entirely, relying on electroreceptors along the saw’s edge. Furthermore, the tooth-like denticles on the saw shark’s rostrum alternate in size between large and small, while the teeth on a sawfish’s saw are all relatively uniform in size.
Habitat and Hunting Behavior
The saw shark’s preference for deep-water habitats is a primary reason human interactions are so uncommon. They are typically found on the continental shelves and upper slopes, inhabiting depths from 100 feet to over 600 feet. This deep-dwelling ecology ensures they remain far from the shallow, coastal waters where most human recreational activities take place.
They are naturally bottom-dwellers, spending the majority of their time near the ocean floor, often in areas with sandy or muddy substrates. This environment allows them to utilize their specialized sensory equipment effectively. The saw shark’s hunting methods are geared toward this benthic lifestyle, targeting small animals hidden in the sediment.
Using the small barbels and electroreceptors on the rostrum, the saw shark detects the faint electrical signals emitted by buried prey. Once a target such as a shrimp, squid, or small bony fish is sensed, the shark uses the saw to rake through the sand or to strike the prey with a lateral swipe.