The sawfish, also know as a carpenter shark, is a very unique-looking fish that could be found in the coastal areas of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The reason we say could be found is that both the smalltooth and largtooth sawfish have not been seen in decades. However, it is essential to understand what a carpenter shark is in the event you happen to come across one while fishing. What exactly is a sawfish.

Where Do Sawfish Live

Interestingly enough, they were known to be found almost worldwide despite the low numbers of carpenter sharks today. Both species of carpenter shark beyond Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina roamed the waters of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Africa, and South America.

Interestingly enough when it comes to where are sawfish, the carpenter shark can survive in multiple habitats. The habitats include both tropical and subtropical waters, freshwater, and along the inland coastal waterways. They tend to lurk on seafloors that consist of sand or mud. 

Why Are Sawfish So Scarce And How Many Sawfish Are Left

The sawfish population is low due to a multitude of reasons. Despite saw tooth fish having once been found worldwide. Carpenter shark are now on the critically endangered list.  

Fortunately, sawfish endangered is recognized around the globe. Many countries have taken measures to help protect any remaining fish. The primary reason they are disappearing from the planet is due to overfishing. The saw portion of the fish becomes entangled in fishing nets, causing them to die.

In regards to how many sawfish are left 2021 and how many sawfish are left 2022 the numbers are not easy to determine. However, it is believed to be roughly 5,000 remaining.

Beyond fishing gear decimating the population, they were also overfished. Much like the shark, the fins of a sawtooth are and were highly valuable for food purposes in some parts of the world. Beyond the consumption of the meat and fins, the saw of the fish is in high demand as people consider it valuable. 

How Do You Identify A Sawfish

They are shark-like in appearance and skin texture which is very coarse like that of sandpaper. Carpenter sharks are part of the ray family. Another shared similarity to the shark family is that the carpenter shark does not have bones. Instead, the sawfish skeleton consists of cartilage. 

The top of the fish is mostly brown in color and fades to gray or white on the belly. One of the most apparent signs of carpenter sharks is the saw-like protrusion forward of the mouth. 

Although it is not documented, one of the biggest sawfish was believed to have been caught in Texas. Carpenter shark that are seen today are typically small in size. Now they range between six and eight feet. However, they are believed to grow up to twenty-five feet long and weigh over 1,000 pounds.

What Is The Difference Between A Smalltooth and a Largetooth Sawfish

The two types of carpenter shark are distinctly different when you examine the saw portion of the fish. So if you’re wondering do sawfish have teeth, the answer is yes, and this is how you determine the difference between the two varieties.

Smalltooth Sawfish

Because the teeth are smaller in size, they have many teeth on the saw protrusion. The typical tooth count is between twenty and thirty.

Largetooth Sawfish

Much like it sounds, the teeth are much larger on a largetooth carpenter shark. They have between fourteen and twenty-four teeth which are spaced evenly. 

What And How Do Sawfish Eat

Although unlikely, you may just happen to stumble across a carpenter shark; they have been caught accidentally by anglers who are shark fishing. If you’re wondering what do sawfish eat, they consume small fish and crustaceans. 

The fish’s saw portion is often used to mix up the seafloor to search for food and rapidly move it from side to side, injuring baitfish for easier consumption.

What’s The Best Way To Find A Carpenter Shark

One of the best ways to see a live carpenter shark is by visiting an aquarium because of the unlikely event of catching one. Two aquariums between the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia have sawfish. The first is the Georgia Aquarium located in Atlanta, Georgia and the second is in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, at the Ripley’s Aquarium. Let’s hope that these massive unique-looking creatures can increase their population and that the days of seeing the largest carpenter shark are yet to come.