Are there a lot of sharks in Washington?

According to the Shark Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1997 to help protect and preserve shark species, the coast of Washington state is home to 30 shark species of various sizes, all of which serve different functions in their local ecosystems.

Do great white sharks live in Washington?

Our huge populations of seals and sea lions and cool waters must be very attractive to these apex predators. But to the puzzlement of many, great whites have never been recorded in the San Juan Islands or Salish Sea of Washington.

Are there sharks around Seattle?

While they may be a unique sight at the surface, several shark species swim Puget Sound beyond the eyesight of anyone but a diver. Hillier said that seven to ten shark species swim in the region, the most common of which is the spiny dogfish.

How many sharks are in Washington state?

Of the known 400 + species of sharks, approximately 30 species either live or have been seen in the coastal waters of Washington State (most preferring deeper waters), and 11 have been spotted in the Puget Sound! The bluntnose sixgill shark is one of the largest sharks that inhabit Washington waters reaching up to13ft.

Does Lake Washington have sharks?

Rumors have swirled for decades about sightings of prehistoric creatures and monster fish, even sharks, in Lake Washington. … “That is a pretty big fish for Lake Washington, but not for sturgeon in general,” Bosworth said.

Have there been any shark attacks in Washington state?

In Washington, there have only been two recorded shark attacks, and both were non-fatal. The first attack happened in Grays Harbor County in 1989, and involved a great white shark and a surfer. The second recorded attack happened in the same county and also involved a surfer and great white shark in 2017.

Does Washington state have alligators?

If true, it’s an unusual sighting for the state because the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says alligators are not native to this area. Whatever is swimming in the water has a lot of people talking.

Are there sharks in Ocean Shores WA?

OCEAN SHORES (AP) — A great white shark about 18-feet long is believed to be swimming off the Washington coast and feeding on harbor seals close to shore, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife said. … Ocean Shores is located about 20 miles north of the Long Beach Peninsula’s northern tip.

What sharks live in Seattle?

Dogfish, Sixgills, Broadnose Sevengills and Brown Catsharks are the four main shark residents of Puget Sound, according to Dayv Lowry, a Senior Research Scientist at the Department of Fish and Wildlife, who talked to Inside Bainbridge. Sixgills are the largest sharks in Puget Sound, growing up to 20 feet long.

Are there any snakes in Washington state?

There are 18 nonvenomous and three venomous snake species that live in Washington, the fastest way to tell them apart is their eyes, all the venomous reptiles have vertical slitted pupils whereas all the nonvenomous reptiles have round pupils.

Is there alligators in Seattle?

While crocodiles and alligators can survive a cold snap, they are unable to do so for extended lengths of time. As other people have responded, there have been reports of alligators or caimans in Lake Washington, usually because their owners set them loose after getting too big to be properly cared for.

Are there scorpions in Washington state?

Vejovis boreus (Girard) is the species found in the PNW region on dry southwest slopes. They can be locally common but are rarely seen. The species is nocturnal like most scorpions but enter warm places in the cool days of fall to hibernate. The Northern Scorpion is not known to sting humans.

Are there brown snakes in WA?

There are three species of western brown snake, all long and thin with a small, chisel-shaped head. The head is generally indistinct from the body. The body colour can vary through a range of browns, yellows or greys, sometimes with a dark nape and head.

Are there geckos in Washington state?

Washington state is home to seven types of lizards. To most residents’ delight, there are no poison lizards in Washington, just as there are no invasive lizards in Washington either.

4. Western Fence Lizard.
Species: Sceloporus occidentalis
Diet: Insectivore
Habitat: Grassland, woodland, sagebrush, farmland, some forests
Jan 14, 2022

Do tarantulas live in Washington State?

Tarantulas (Fig. 1) in the Pacific Northwest? Well, maybe not like the hairy monsters of the tropics, but some very interesting “atypical” species do occur here. … It is a fairly large species, females ranging from 11 to 13 millimeters in length, males slightly smaller.

Are there poisonous spiders in Washington state?

Are there any venomous spiders in Washington? … There are two spiders of medical significance in Washington, the black widow spider and the yellow sac spider. Although spiders usually are not aggressive, bites can happen when they become trapped or accidentally disturbed.

Are there any venomous snakes in Washington state?

Out of the dozen or so species of snakes that are native to Washington state, only one, the Western rattlesnake, is venomous enough to be of a hazard to humans. … Common in eastern Washington, the Western rattlesnake may be encountered in proximity to their dens.