Humboldt Squid and a Great White Shark?

[dphershman]

I was at Neah Bay this past weekend and saw what looked like a child's toy shark on the beach. As I got closer I realized that it was no toy!



This fellow had been on the beach for a while, but it sure looked to me like a baby Great White. Definitely had the chompers!

The next day I spied something on the shore that seemed odd, so I went out to investigate. It was a three foot long Humboldt Squid, washed up on the beach.



shortly afterwards I found two more about the same size.

There's quite a few stories on the web now about a 'squid invasion' going on this fall in Neah Bay/Clallam County. (Including a thread here on this board). Supposed to be good to eat---

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-ne ... d-invasion

Pretty wild looking critters, I certainly wouldn't want to meet one on a dive!

[Ken G]

Could be a Salmon Shark possibly? They look very much like a Great White.

[dphershman]

Could be a Salmon Shark possibly? They look very much like a Great White.

I thoought about that, but it seems to be the wrong color and the eyes are not as set forward as a salmon shark. But I'm no expert!

[April]

Were the teeth serrated? It's hard to tell from the picture but that's an easy way to tell if it's a white shark or not.

[Greg Jensen]

Can you provide a higher res shot? Salmon sharks have small cusps on their teeth that should be visible with a closer view.

[dphershman]

Can you provide a higher res shot? Salmon sharks have small cusps on their teeth that should be visible with a closer view.

this is a close as I wanted to get



someone had previously placed a shell in its mouth to hold the jaw open.

[Scott G]

We get a few of salmon sharks washing up on the beach every year in Oregon. They are almost always reported as whites. I can't remember exactly, but i think something is different with the tail there too. Also, Salmon sharks this size are adults, so they are much more shouldery than i would expect a small white to be, plus i'm not sure if there are small whites for very long (i.e. they grow fast)

Makes you think about going for a swim in that nice warm ocean water though

Scott

[Greg Jensen]

Teeth are a much better match for a salmon shark than a white.