Sharks exhibit an immense range of sizes, making their weight highly variable. With over 500 known species, there is no single weight that applies to all sharks. From the smallest, which can fit in a person’s hand, to the largest fish in the ocean, shark weights vary dramatically depending on biological and environmental influences.
Factors Influencing Shark Weight
A shark’s weight is primarily determined by its species, as different types have evolved distinct physical characteristics. Beyond species, several other elements play a significant role in an individual shark’s size. Age is a substantial factor, as sharks generally increase in size and weight as they mature.
Sex can also influence weight, as females are often larger than males in many shark species. The availability and type of food in a shark’s diet directly impacts its growth and body mass; sharks with abundant prey sources tend to be larger and heavier. Geographical location and habitat conditions, such as water temperature, can also affect a shark’s overall health and growth rate.
Weight of Common Shark Species
Many well-known shark species exhibit considerable weight ranges. Adult Great White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) typically weigh between 522 to 1,110 kilograms (1,151 to 2,450 pounds) on average. However, larger mature females can reach an estimated 1,905 kilograms (4,200 pounds), with some verified at 6.1 meters (20 feet) in length. These apex predators are known for consuming marine mammals.
Tiger Sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) are also quite large, with average adults weighing between 385 to 635 kilograms (850 to 1,400 pounds). Exceptionally large female Tiger Sharks can exceed 1,300 kilograms (2,900 pounds). These sharks have a diverse diet, including sea turtles and other marine life.
Great Hammerhead Sharks (Sphyrna mokarran), the largest of the hammerhead species, typically average around 230 kilograms (500 pounds). The heaviest recorded Great Hammerhead weighed 450 kilograms (991 pounds). Shortfin Mako Sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus) are known for their speed, with average adults weighing 60 to 140 kilograms (130 to 310 pounds), though some can reach up to 550 kilograms (1,210 pounds).
Giants and Minnows: Extreme Weights
The ocean’s heaviest and lightest shark species represent extreme weights. The Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest fish in the world, commonly reaching lengths of 12 meters (39 feet) and weighing around 15 tons (14 metric tons). Fully grown Whale Sharks can reach up to 20 meters (66 feet) long and weigh 46 tons (42 metric tons). These gentle giants are filter feeders, consuming plankton and small fish.
The Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus) is the second largest shark, often growing up to 12 meters (40 feet) in length and weighing between 4,000 to 6,000 kilograms (8,800 to 13,200 pounds). Like Whale Sharks, Basking Sharks are also filter feeders, sifting plankton from the water with their large mouths.
In contrast, the Dwarf Lanternshark (Etmopterus perryi) is the smallest shark species, reaching a maximum length of 20 centimeters (7.9 inches) and weighing less than 0.9 kilograms (2 pounds). The Spined Pygmy Shark (Squaliolus laticaudus) is also small, growing to about 28 centimeters (11 inches) long and weighing up to 150 grams (0.33 pounds). These small sharks often inhabit deep-water environments.