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The large group of sharks collectively known as the Whalers is abundantly represented in all Australian waters. They vary in size from harmless little 900 mm (3 foot) bait stealers to massive 4.3 m ( 14 foot) man killers. There are probably more than seventeen species of Queensland Whalers. and their positive identification is a difficult task for even the professional ichthyologist. Recognition is made on such relatively obscure features as the presence or absence of a third eyelid: of caudal pits (sharp depressions on the body, before the commencement of the tail); of a ridge along the back between the dorsal fins; upon the shape of the snout ; and, most importantly on the form and position of the teeth. Bearing in mind this difficulty of positively identifying a Whaler in the wild. scuba divers and swimmers should regard any Whaler over 2.4 m (8 feet) in length as a potential killer.
The Black Whaler is the most common of the larger Queensland species. It is a man-killer.. A heavy bodied shark, it is known to reach a length of 4.45 m ( 14.5 feet). The colour varies from brownish to dark grey above (which probably, leads to many, fishermen and laymen wrongly terming this “Grey Nurse"), to dull whitish below. The tips of the fins are often blackish or dusky. Teeth are serrated; the upper ones being broadly triangular and erect, the lower ones narrower with wide bases,
The Whaler is at home in open ocean waters, in bays, estuaries and rivers, penetrating as far upstream as the freshwater reaches. It feeds on shoaling Mullet. stingrays, and even porcupine fish. The young are born alive; as many as 40 have been taken from one female, though more usually litters are within the ten to twenty group.
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