Location:
Found throughout temperate and tropical oceans around the world, the Blue Shark lives in open water (known as pelagic habitats), from the surface down to about 350 m in depth.

Average Size:
Adults usually measure between 1.7 m and 2.2 m in length, although some individuals can grow up to 3.8 m.

Family:
Carcharhinidae (Requiem Sharks)

Species:
Prionace glauca

Feeding and Jaw Function:
Blue Sharks are active hunters that feed mainly on small fish and squid. Their teeth are sharp and finely serrated, ideal for gripping and slicing prey rather than crushing it.
The upper teeth are triangular, recurved, and overlap slightly at the base, while the lower teeth—about 13 to 15 on each side—are narrower and more upright. This arrangement allows the shark to bite and tear effectively in fast-moving open-water chases.

Movement and Sensory Features:
Blue Sharks are highly mobile, capable of migrating thousands of kilometres across the oceans. They are entirely pelagic—meaning they live in the open sea rather than near the seabed—and do not rest on the ocean floor. They use a combination of acute senses, including an excellent sense of smell, sharp vision, and electroreception (the ability to detect the weak electrical signals given off by other animals), to find prey in deep or murky waters.

Reproduction:
They are viviparous, meaning females give birth to live young rather than laying eggs. After a gestation period of around 9–12 months, females produce large litters—typically between 25 and 80 pups, although more than 100 have occasionally been recorded.

Conservation Status:
The Blue Shark is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN globally, with some regional populations, such as those in the Mediterranean, classed as Critically Endangered. Major threats include accidental capture in fishing gear, the fin trade, and overfishing. Conservation efforts focus on sustainable management and international protection measures.