This formidable hunter, which is sometimes mistaken for the white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), can be distinguished by its shorter snout and the dusky blotches that mark the white abdomen of adults. The rest of the salmon shark’s stocky, spindle-shaped body is dark bluish-grey or blackish, with white blotches around the base of the pectoral fins. The first dorsal fin is large, while the second dorsal and anal fins are tiny and are able to pivot. Its crescent-shaped tail gives it impressive propulsion through the water, while its large, well-developed eyes enable it to spot potential prey, and its large, blade-like teeth are well suited to gripping slippery fish.