David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈
@whysharksmatter.bsky.social
I am a marine conservation biologist studying sharks and a science writer. Posts are about science and the environment, science communication, and more! He/him
You guys, check out this close-up of nurse shark skin! They have a reputation for being kinda dull brown, but it's really a beautiful sandstone mosaic pattern, and they range pretty widely in color! (That's me on the right in a neon shark print bathing suit during a research workup).
December 5, 2025 at 1:17 PM
You guys, check out this close-up of nurse shark skin! They have a reputation for being kinda dull brown, but it's really a beautiful sandstone mosaic pattern, and they range pretty widely in color! (That's me on the right in a neon shark print bathing suit during a research workup).
When do we get my gritty survival horror “hungry hungry hippos?”
Tagline: the original hunger games
Tagline: the original hunger games
December 5, 2025 at 12:09 PM
When do we get my gritty survival horror “hungry hungry hippos?”
Tagline: the original hunger games
Tagline: the original hunger games
Here's @daryllmarie.bsky.social helping me to haul some shark fishing gear
December 4, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Here's @daryllmarie.bsky.social helping me to haul some shark fishing gear
A few weeks ago, I got to see (and help with a research workup of) one of the biggest bull sharks I've ever encountered. Check it out! 🧪🦑🌍🦈
December 4, 2025 at 4:17 PM
A few weeks ago, I got to see (and help with a research workup of) one of the biggest bull sharks I've ever encountered. Check it out! 🧪🦑🌍🦈
Your WhySharksMatter wrapped just dropped!
December 3, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Your WhySharksMatter wrapped just dropped!
What did the ocean say to the shark?
Nothing. It just waved.
Nothing. It just waved.
November 29, 2025 at 11:49 PM
What did the ocean say to the shark?
Nothing. It just waved.
Nothing. It just waved.
Boys have swag
Gentlemen have style
I have a shark-cuterie board
Gentlemen have style
I have a shark-cuterie board
November 27, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Boys have swag
Gentlemen have style
I have a shark-cuterie board
Gentlemen have style
I have a shark-cuterie board
What do you call a fish with no eye?
A fsh!
A fsh!
November 27, 2025 at 6:43 PM
What do you call a fish with no eye?
A fsh!
A fsh!
#SharksNearMe in the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade
November 27, 2025 at 3:47 PM
#SharksNearMe in the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade
I’ve finally inherited Tevye the Turkey from mom!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving!
November 27, 2025 at 2:17 PM
I’ve finally inherited Tevye the Turkey from mom!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving from Sandy, the shark who lives in my office.
November 27, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Happy Thanksgiving from Sandy, the shark who lives in my office.
What did the shark say when it swam into the concrete wall?
Dam!
Dam!
November 26, 2025 at 6:50 PM
What did the shark say when it swam into the concrete wall?
Dam!
Dam!
Do you guys like my new winter shark wear? It’s more subtle than some of my other stuff but it’s warm and cozy.
November 25, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Do you guys like my new winter shark wear? It’s more subtle than some of my other stuff but it’s warm and cozy.
Report from my second shark field course
November 22, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Report from my second shark field course
Seen on our research vessel
November 22, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Seen on our research vessel
Wow! 100,000 followers! Thanks nerds
November 21, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Wow! 100,000 followers! Thanks nerds
Thanks to today’s guests! We caught, sampled, measured, tagged, and released 3 bonnethead sharks and 2 blacktip sharks!
November 21, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Thanks to today’s guests! We caught, sampled, measured, tagged, and released 3 bonnethead sharks and 2 blacktip sharks!
When I say I’m sleeping on a research vessel for three days, I’m not sure that everyone can easily picture the size of our cabins!
I’m six feet tall and my bunk is about six foot four inches. Not enough vertical space to sit up.
I’m six feet tall and my bunk is about six foot four inches. Not enough vertical space to sit up.
November 20, 2025 at 2:23 AM
When I say I’m sleeping on a research vessel for three days, I’m not sure that everyone can easily picture the size of our cabins!
I’m six feet tall and my bunk is about six foot four inches. Not enough vertical space to sit up.
I’m six feet tall and my bunk is about six foot four inches. Not enough vertical space to sit up.
Be thoughtful with the environmental impacts of your food!
November 19, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Be thoughtful with the environmental impacts of your food!
If you don’t yet have a copy of my book “Why Sharks Matter,” you can get 40% off! Offer also applies to all other Johns Hopkins University Press books.
www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/...
www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/...
November 17, 2025 at 2:20 PM
If you don’t yet have a copy of my book “Why Sharks Matter,” you can get 40% off! Offer also applies to all other Johns Hopkins University Press books.
www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/...
www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/...
I got to tour the new Mote Aquarium today!
🧪🦑🌎🦈🐠
🧪🦑🌎🦈🐠
November 15, 2025 at 9:16 PM
I got to tour the new Mote Aquarium today!
🧪🦑🌎🦈🐠
🧪🦑🌎🦈🐠