No confirmed photo of Atlantic Angel Shark
Atlantic Angel Shark
Squatina dumeril
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Sharks in Delaware: Species, Stingrays & Safety
Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.
On this page
DNREC: But as many as 62 total species can be found in the Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay and the Inland Bays.
This page lists 46 sharks, rays and other marine animals: 40 from DNREC's Fish SGCN page: Sharks, Rays and Skates + Sharks in Delaware Waters and 6 named in other official sources. DNREC gives a total of 62; the 46 here are the sharks, rays and other marine animals official sources name one by one.
Which sharks, rays and other marine animals can hurt you
Official sources single out these sharks, rays and other marine animals in Delaware, in their own words:
-
Sandbar Shark
Shark bite. “…in June 2020, what was most likely a sandbar shark bit a 12-year-old boy at Herring Point in Cape Henlopen State Park.” DNREC
-
Sharks
DNREC. “But Delaware has seen only four confirmed unprovoked shark attacks since 1837, according to the University of Florida. We have no record of a death caused by a shark in Delaware.” DNREC
-
Lion's mane jellyfish
Stings. “The stinging cells are not known to be fatal to people. But the sting site will be very red and painful.” DNREC
-
Atlantic Sea Nettle
Stings. “Their sting is strong to severe but not deadly to humans. However, it will hurt.” DNREC
All 46 sharks, rays and other marine animals
From A to Z. Do not handle them.
No confirmed photo of Atlantic Horseshoe Crab
Atlantic Horseshoe Crab
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Where in Delaware
- Delaware Bay and Inland Bays; spawns May-June on bay beaches DNREC
No confirmed photo of Atlantic Sea Nettle
Atlantic Sea Nettle
No confirmed photo of Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Atlantic Thresher Shark
Atlantic Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Barndoor Skate
Barndoor Skate
Dipturus laevis
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Basking Shark
Basking Shark
Cetorhinus maximus
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Bigeye Thresher Shark
Bigeye Thresher Shark
Alopias superciliosus
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Size
- Average about 5 feet and 50 pounds; maximum about 8 feet.
- How to recognize it
- Anal fin usually has no black tip
- Long, pointed snout; small eyes
- First dorsal fin begins over or slightly behind the rear of the pectoral fins
Blue Shark
Prionace glauca
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Bluntnose Sixgill Shark
Bluntnose Sixgill Shark
Hexanchus griseus
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Bonnethead Shark
Sphyrna tiburo
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Bull Shark
Carcharhinus leucas
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Size
- Reported maximum varies by source: about 11 ft (Alabama), over 10 ft with a 6 to 8 ft average (South Carolina), about 13 ft (Florida Museum).
- How to recognize it
- Very short, broadly rounded snout
- Stout, heavy body
- No ridge between the dorsal fins
No confirmed photo of Clearnose Skate
Clearnose Skate
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Cownose Ray
Cownose Ray
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Where in Delaware
- Inland Bays DNREC
No confirmed photo of Dusky Shark
Dusky Shark
Carcharhinus obscurus
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Finetooth Shark
Finetooth Shark
Carcharhinus isodon
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Great Hammerhead Shark
Sphyrna mokarran
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
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Great White Shark
Carcharodon carcharias
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Size
- Born about 4 feet long; grows to about 20-21 feet and over 4,000 pounds (NOAA quick facts: up to 4,500 pounds).
- How to recognize it
- Torpedo-shaped body, conical snout, prominent keel at the base of a crescent-shaped tail
- Large first dorsal fin, usually with a pointed tip
- Broad, triangular, serrated teeth
- Where in Delaware
- Least common shark in Delaware waters DNREC
Lemon Shark
Negaprion brevirostris
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Size
- Maximum about 10.5 ft (Florida).
- How to recognize it
- Two large dorsal fins of similar size and shape
- Blunt, rounded snout shorter than the mouth is wide
- No ridge between the dorsal fins
No confirmed photo of Lion's mane jellyfish
Lion's mane jellyfish
No confirmed photo of Little Skate
Little Skate
Leucoraja erinacea
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Conservation
- SGCN Assessment Priority
No confirmed photo of Longfin Mako Shark
Longfin Mako Shark
Isurus paucus
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Moon Jellyfish
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Where in Delaware
- Harbors and bays, early June to October DNREC
No confirmed photo of Night Shark
Night Shark
Carcharhinus signatus
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Nurse Shark
Ginglymostoma cirratum
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Size
- Usually 4 to 8 ft (SCDNR); adults average 7.5 to 8 ft and over 200 lb (Florida Museum); maximum about 9 ft (FWC).
- How to recognize it
- A distinct, long barbel ('feeler') on each nostril, which no other shark has
- First dorsal fin starts above the pelvic fins; both dorsal fins rounded
- Small mouth near the tip of a very short, rounded snout
Oceanic Whitetip Shark
Carcharhinus longimanus
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Porbeagle Shark
Porbeagle Shark
Lamna nasus
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Rosette Skate
Rosette Skate
Leucoraja garmani
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Conservation
- SGCN Assessment Priority
No confirmed photo of Roughtail Stingray
Roughtail Stingray
Dasyatis centroura
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Sand Tiger Shark
Carcharias taurus
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Where in Delaware
- One of the five most common sharks in Delaware waters DNREC
No confirmed photo of Sandbar Shark
Sandbar Shark
Carcharhinus plumbeus
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Danger to people
- “…in June 2020, what was most likely a sandbar shark bit a 12-year-old boy at Herring Point in Cape Henlopen State Park.” DNREC
- Where in Delaware
- One of the five most common sharks in Delaware waters DNREC
What the sources say
Habitat: Shallow coastal Delaware Bay is primary and secondary nursery habitat (DNREC)
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Scalloped Hammerhead
Sphyrna lewini
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Sea Walnut (comb jelly)
Sea Walnut (comb jelly)
- Where in Delaware
- Along the coast, all year DNREC
What the sources say
Venom: “Don’t worry if you see one because they’re harmless to people.” (DNREC)
No confirmed photo of Seven-gill Shark
Seven-gill Shark
Heptranchias perlo
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Shortfin Mako Shark
Isurus oxyrinchus
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Size
- Up to about 13 ft (NOAA, Atlantic; Florida Museum); Pacific: up to 12 ft, averaging 6 to 7 ft (NOAA). SCDNR: averages 5 to 8 ft.
- How to recognize it
- Very pointed snout and long gill slits
- Crescent-shaped (lunate) tail with a single strong keel on each side of the tail base
- Long, slender, smooth-edged teeth, visible even with the mouth closed
- Where in Delaware
- One of the five most common sharks in Delaware waters (DNREC article says 'Atlantic mako') DNREC
Silky Shark
Carcharhinus falciformis
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Smooth Hammerhead Shark
Smooth Hammerhead Shark
Sphyrna zygaena
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Smooth Hound
Smooth Hound
Mustelus canis
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Where in Delaware
- One of the five most common sharks (DNREC article calls it smooth dogfish); uses Delaware Bay extensively DNREC
No confirmed photo of Smooth Skate
Smooth Skate
Malacoraja senta
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Spinner Shark
Spinner Shark
Carcharhinus brevipinna
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Spiny Dogfish
Spiny Dogfish
Squalus acanthias
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Where in Delaware
- One of the five most common sharks in Delaware waters DNREC
No confirmed photo of Thorny Skate
Thorny Skate
Amblyraja radiata
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Tiger Shark
Galeocerdo cuvier
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Size
- Florida gives a maximum of about 18 ft and 2,000 lb.
- How to recognize it
- Blunt snout and vertical bars on the sides
- Very broad head; short, broadly rounded snout much shorter than the mouth is wide
- Large triangular teeth, strongly serrated, with a deep notch on the outer edge
Whale Shark
Rhincodon typus
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Winter Skate
Winter Skate
Leucoraja ocellata
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Sharks and Marine Life people confuse
Bull Shark or Sandbar shark?
Bull Shark Not stated
No confirmed photo of Sandbar shark
Sandbar shark Not stated
Sandbar sharks (and oceanic whitetip, bignose, silky, dusky and night sharks) have a ridge between the dorsal fins; bull sharks do not.
Bull Shark or Lemon shark?
Bull Shark Not stated
Lemon shark Not stated
Lemon and sand tiger sharks have a large second dorsal fin; a bull shark's second dorsal fin is much smaller than the first.
Great white shark or Shortfin mako shark?
Great white shark Not stated
Shortfin mako shark Not stated
Mako lacks black tips on the undersides of the fins and has thin, pointed teeth without serrations.
Lemon Shark or Nurse shark?
Lemon Shark Not stated
Nurse shark Not stated
Also has a large second dorsal fin, but its first dorsal fin sits over the pelvic fins and it has barbels at the nostrils.
Shortfin Mako Shark or White shark?
Shortfin Mako Shark Not stated
White shark Not stated
The white shark has broad, triangular, serrated teeth; mako teeth are slender and smooth-edged.
Photos show typical adults; individuals vary. Never get close to compare.
When sharks, rays and other marine animals are active in Delaware
Records of sharks, rays and other marine animals in Delaware peak in July to August. They show when people record sharks, rays and other marine animals, not how many there are (about month bars).
If you are bitten or stung
Call 911 or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Poison Help connects you to your local poison center, any time of day.
Official advice from DNREC:
- If you encounter a snake, a spray from a garden hose can safely encourage it to move on. DNREC
- Sharks: swim in groups, stay near shore, avoid dawn/dusk/night and fished waters, don't swim if bleeding. DNREC
- Jellyfish sting on the face or neck while swimming: get medical help as soon as possible (call 911 or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222). DNREC
How to report
Invasive aquatic species: report to the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife by phone, email or the online Invasive Fish Tracker. Invasive terrestrial species: Wildlife Section, 302-739-9912. Sick or dead wildlife (five or more at one place): 302-735-3600 ext. 2. Wildlife damage biologist: 302-735-8683. DNREC
What official sources say
Are there sharks in Delaware?
Yes. As many as 62 shark species can be found in the Atlantic, Delaware Bay and Inland Bays. The most common are sandbar, spiny dogfish, smooth dogfish, sand tiger and mako. Delaware has had four confirmed unprovoked attacks since 1837 and no recorded deaths. DNREC
“The five most common sharks in Delaware waters are sandbar, spiny dogfish, smooth dogfish, sand tiger and Atlantic mako sharks.”
Are there great white sharks in Delaware?
Yes. DNREC: white sharks are around but are the least common shark in Delaware waters. DNREC
“Yes, they’re around, but they are the least common shark species found in Delaware waters.”
About this list
The species list comes from Fish SGCN page: Sharks, Rays and Skates (2025-2035 DEWAP) + Sharks in Delaware Waters (Outdoor Delaware) (Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), DEWAP page modified 2025-12-16; shark article modified 2026-05-07). 6 more entries come from other official sources named on each card.
Venom labels come only from official sources and link to them; "Not stated" never means harmless. How labels work.
Sources
- Delaware's Endangered Species. Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). datePublished 2020-05-15, dateModified 2025-04-28; checked November 3, 2026.
- Fish (2025-2035 Delaware Wildlife Action Plan). Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). datePublished 2025-09-09, dateModified 2025-12-16; checked November 3, 2026.
- Sharks in Delaware Waters (Outdoor Delaware). Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). published 2022-07-15, modified 2026-05-07; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (7)
“But as many as 62 total species can be found in the Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay and the Inland Bays.”
“…in June 2020, what was most likely a sandbar shark bit a 12-year-old boy at Herring Point in Cape Henlopen State Park.”
“But Delaware has seen only four confirmed unprovoked shark attacks since 1837, according to the University of Florida. We have no record of a death caused by a shark in Delaware.”
“Swim in water where you can see your feet.”
“It’s a sign of summer that sharks migrate from south to north this time of year, although they do migrate year-round — we just notice them more in the summer.”
“The five most common sharks in Delaware waters are sandbar, spiny dogfish, smooth dogfish, sand tiger and Atlantic mako sharks.”
“Yes, they’re around, but they are the least common shark species found in Delaware waters.”
- Dolphins, Horseshoe Crabs and Piping Plovers, Oh My! (Outdoor Delaware). Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). published 2024-06-10, modified 2025-07-08; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (2)
“…tend to show up in Delaware toward the end of the summer”
“The species spawns in May and June along the bay beaches.”
- Jellyfish to Watch Out for (Outdoor Delaware). Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). published 2020-09-30, modified 2026-07-28; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (4)
“The stinging cells are not known to be fatal to people. But the sting site will be very red and painful.”
“Their sting is strong to severe but not deadly to humans. However, it will hurt.”
“Don’t worry if you see one because they’re harmless to people.”
“If you’re swimming and get stung in the face or neck area, seek medical help as soon as possible.”
- Snakes to Watch Out For (Outdoor Delaware). Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). published 2021-07-09, modified 2026-05-07; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“If you encounter a snake, you can use spray from a garden hose to safely encourage it to move on.”
- Invasive Aquatic Species. Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). published 2020-02-11, modified 2025-02-03; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“It is also important to keep an eye out for invasive terrestrial species. They should be reported to the Wildlife Section, at 302-739-9912.”
- GBIF.org occurrence records, human observations licensed CC0 1.0 or CC BY 4.0 only, accessed November 3, 2026. The datasets behind these counts are listed on our Sources page.