Sawfish look like sharks but are actually rays, as their gills and mouths are found on the undersides of their bodies. They can grow up to 25 feet long, including their “saw,” which is used for immobilizing prey and for protection. They are generally not dangerous to humans, unless threatened or frightened.

There are 5 species of sawfish, all of which are endangered. Smalltooth sawfish live in tropical seas and estuaries of the Atlantic Ocean. In the United States, they were historically found from North Carolina to Texas but are now generally only found in Florida’s coastal waters, primarily in the Florida Keys and the Everglades. According to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Smalltooth sawfish populations declined dramatically during the second half of the 20th century due to habitat loss from coastal development and bycatch. Additionally, in 2024 there was a large die-off of this critically endangered species in Florida. It is believed that this was due to a toxic algae bloom potentially triggered by a record-breaking summer heatwave in 2023. Part of the 100 WILD ANIMALS series.

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