Many people were left questioning the safety of Florida’s waters following two separate shark attacks along Florida’s Panhandle on Friday — so, how safe is it?

According to the International Shark Attack File, the odds of being killed by a shark are 1-in-4,332,817 —which, when compared to the 1-in-5 odds of dying from heart disease, demonstrates the fact that fatalities from shark attacks are exceedingly rare.

And officials note that the most recent attacks, which occurred June 7 about 4 miles apart within a span of 90 minutes along Walton County’s beaches, were “also very rare.”

But the victims’ injuries were serious. A 45-year-old woman required the amputation of her lower left arm and suffered severe injuries to her midsection. A Mountain Brook teen’s hand was bitten off by the shark, and she also was forced to have her right leg amputated to the middle of her thigh.

Many swimmers and beachgoers might be understandably concerned about encountering these predators but knowing the types of sharks commonly found in Florida’s waters can help increase awareness.

GulfLive.com recently spoke to Gavin Naylor, the director of the Florida Program for Shark Research at the University of Florida, who shared a rundown of the nine most common sharks found in Florida.

Atlantic sharpnose shark

Even fully grown, the Atlantic sharpnose is typically on the smaller end of the shark spectrum, growing between 2 and 3 feet long. They have a life span of about nine years and a streamlined body with a long, pointy snout, which they are named for.

Where they’re found: The Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Keys. As winter approaches, these sharks move offshore into deeper water, returning inshore to mate and give birth in spring.

Threat level: Moderate. Their habitat does tend to be close to humans; however, most bites inflicted by this shark are nonfatal and not serious.

Bonnethead shark

As the smallest member of the hammerhead family, these sharks can reach a length about 4 feet and have a life span of about 12 years.

Where they’re found: Often seen in the waters off Pigeon Key, the bonnethead shark is common all along the shallow sand and mud flats of Florida’s coast. They are most abundant near the shoreline in warmer weather, moving into deeper coastal waters during the colder months.

Threat level: These sharks are typically harmless to humans.

• MORE: Florida’s Walton County beaches reopen after shark attacks leave 3 injured, 2 critically

Blacktip shark

Reaching a length of just over 6 feet, according to the International Shark Attack File, blacktip sharks have historically been responsible for 29 unprovoked attacks (with one fatality) on humans around the world — including Florida.

Where they’re found: The Gulf of Mexico. Most often found in warm, shallow, coastal waters and estuaries, as opposed to the deep open ocean. They migrate from the north to Florida in January and often remain here through April.

Threat level: Most incidents result in relatively minor wounds, but they are responsible for roughly 20% of the attacks that occur in Florida waters, often striking surfers.

Spinner shark

Known for its distinctive ability to perform aerial spins, adult spinner sharks are usually between 6 and 9 feet in length.

Where they’re found: Off the Florida and Louisiana coasts and in the Gulf of Mexico. Spinner sharks often move inshore during the spring and summer months to reproduce and feed.

Threat level: Spinner sharks are occasionally involved in shark bites on humans. According to the International Shark Attack File, the spinner shark has been responsible for 16 unprovoked attacks on humans, none of which have been fatal. With teeth made for seizing small prey, their bites usually result in relatively minor injuries.

• MORE: Florida leads US in shark bites, according to 2023 international attack report

Sandbar shark

The sandbar shark grows to about 6 feet in length and typically weighs between 110 and 150 pounds as an adult.

Where they’re found: True to their name, this shark prefers the sandy bottoms of coastal areas. They are commonly found in Florida’s Atlantic and Gulf coasts from May to August.

Threat level: According to Florida Museum, because these sharks prefer smaller prey and have a tendency to avoid beaches, they pose little threat to humans.

Bull shark

Considered an apex predator, the bull shark is at the top of a food chain, without any natural predators of its own. With a maximum size of 11 feet in length, they have a life span of about 24 years.

Where they’re found: Bull sharks are found in both nearshore and offshore waters of the Gulf and the Atlantic coasts of Florida. It’s also one of the few shark species that may inhabit freshwater.

Threat level: One of the more dangerous shark species, accounting for the third-highest number of attacks on humans.

Tiger shark

Tiger sharks can reach a maximum size of about 18 feet — and a weight of 2,000 pounds. They have a life span of about 16 years.

Where they’re found: They are found in a variety of habitats, including river mouths, shallow bays and the open ocean. Tiger sharks are most plentiful in Florida from December through July.

Threat level: Tiger sharks are second only to the great white shark in the number of attacks on humans worldwide.

Lemon shark

The lemon shark can reach between 8 and 10 feet in length and has a life span of around 27 years.

Where they’re found: They flourish in the estuarine and nearshore waters of the Gulf and Atlantic coasts of Florida and migrate south into deeper waters in the winter months.

Threat level: For the most part, they are considered shy and docile, but according to the International Shark Attack File, there have been 10 unprovoked attacks by lemon sharks, all of which occurred in Florida and the Caribbean. None were fatal.

Finetooth shark

Finetooth sharks reach a maximum length of about 5 to 6 feet and have a life span of about 14 years.

Where they’re found: Finetooth sharks spend the winter months in the waters off the coast of Florida and favor coastal waters, bays and estuarine waters. They are commonly seen over mud and sand flats during summer months and move into deeper coastal waters during the colder months.

Threat level: This shark poses little threat to humans and has never been reported in a shark bite case.

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