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6 Sharks That Could Be Responsible for the North Carolina Attacks

After a spike in attacks, the director of the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries named the sharks that could be responsible.
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The shores of North Carolina are tinged red this vacation season after a string of at least seven shark attacks since the start of June.

But which sharks might be responsible?

Dr. Louis Daniel, director of the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, says sharks who attack and then swim off can be difficult to identify due to discreet characterizing features. He gave NBC News a closer look at what types of sharks could be terrorizing the Tar Heel state during this unusual summer spike.

Image:  A Blacknose shark
Blacknose shark's are small coastal sharks often found close to the surf zone.Matthew J. Lee / Boston Globe via Getty Images

Blacknose Shark

Length: 5-6 feet

Weight: 40-60 pound

Tendencies: Small coastal shark commonly found in inlets and channels; bite radius: 7-8 inches; black smudge on their nose (becomes more faint as they grow larger and more difficult to distinguish.)

Sharpnose Shark

Length: 4 feet

Weight: 8-10 pounds

Tendencies: Small coastal shark often found close to the surf zone; not strong; could fit a baseball or softball in their mouth; lots of white spots.

Image: A close-up and engaging view of a large Bull Shark
A close-up and engaging view of a large Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) that is estimated at a size of 10 ft. long and a weight of 600 lbs.Keith A. Ellenbogen / AP

Bull Shark

Length: Up to 12 feet

Weight: 800-900 pounds

Tendencies: Large coastal shark found primarily in shallow lagoons, bays and river mouths; are most efficient with the ability to osmoregulate (keep internal fluids from becoming too diluted or too concentrated) allowing them to be found in freshwater; very thick and commonly more aggressive; solitary; known to have interactions with people.

Tiger Shark

Length: 9-12 feet, up to 18 feet

Weight: 400-600 pounds, can grow up to 1,500 pounds

Tendencies: Large coastal shark; more aggressive; solitary; prominent tiger pattern.

Blacktip Shark

Length: 6-7 feet

Weight: 150 pounds

Tendencies: Large coastal shark commonly found in shallow waters near river mouths, bays and estuaries; one of the most abundant large coastal sharks in N.C.; very thick in size; very prominent dark, black tips on all their fins making them easy to identify; often swim in groups.

A Spinner shark jumps out of the water
A Spinner shark jumps out of the water during a Florida Keys fishing trip in Islamorada, Florida.Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery / Getty Images

Spinner Shark

Length: 9 feet

Weight: 200-300 pounds

Tendencies: Large coastal shark commonly found in shallow waters; jump out of the water, spin around and crash back into the water; one of the most abundant large coastal sharks in N.C.; similar to Blacktip shark with very prominent dark, black tips on all their fins making them easy to identify; often swim in groups.