Closely related to mako and white shark. Heavily built endotherm it is often mistaken for white sharks as a juvenile. Distinguished from white shark and mako by a secondary caudel keel below the primary keel at the base of the caudel. Bluish black to blue grey in color fading to a snow white stomach. Well developed eyes.
Teeth are similar to mako sharks but smaller with bilateral cusps.
Feeds on salmon, makeral, and tuna. Migrates along the coast. Sometimes seen in groups around large fish schools. In recent years researchers have noticed that in the spring of each year a small number of salmon sharks will beach themselves in central and southern California. This phenomenon is poorly understood and is being studied.