Species profile
Bignose Shark
Carcharhinus altimus
Identify Bignose Shark (Carcharhinus altimus) from a photo: try it free in your browser, or get unlimited IDs, no sign-up, with the CatchRules app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
Bignose Shark (Carcharhinus altimus) is an IUCN Near Threatened invertebrate regulated in 2 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Listed under MSA and CITES — verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Notable details
- Bignose sharks can reach nearly 10 feet (3 meters) in length.
- They're typically found at depths of 25 to 430 meters along continental and insular shelf edges.
- Their broadly rounded, prominent snout is the feature that gives them their common name.
- They're viviparous, giving birth to litters of 3 to 15 pups after roughly a 12-month gestation.
- Their diet includes bony fish, smaller sharks, rays, and cephalopods.
Jurisdictions with rules for Bignose Shark
Protected status
- Atlantic HMS prohibited — must release unharmed.
- CITES Appendix II (Carcharhinidae — all requiem sharks, CoP19 effective Nov 2023).
Always verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Background
The bignose shark (Carcharhinus altimus) is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae. Distributed worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters, this migratory shark frequents deep waters around the edges of the continental shelf. It is typically found at depths of 90–430 m (300–1,410 ft), though at night it may move towards the surface or into shallower water. The bignose shark is…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Bignose Shark article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other invertebrates on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Bignose Shark?
Bignose Shark (Carcharhinus altimus) is an IUCN Near Threatened invertebrate regulated in 2 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Bignose Shark?
Bignose Shark is Carcharhinus altimus.
Is Bignose Shark regulated for fishing?
Yes — Bignose Shark has fishing regulations in 1 U.S. state and/or Canadian province tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Bignose Shark?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules app for iPhone or Android — on-device identification recognizes Bignose Shark along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.