Skip to main content
x

David Shiffman, Ph.D.

Dr. David Shiffman is a marine conservation biologist who studies threatened sharks and how to protect them.

How Smart are Octopuses? Are Other Marine Animals Smart?

Dolphins aren't the only animals that use tools — octopuses and otters do too.

How Does the Moon Affect Marine Life Behavior?

The light of the moon can shape hunting, mating and more in the ocean.

How Can I Help After an Oil Spill?

The best thing to do is work to prevent the next one. Here are some ideas.

Three Lessons from Interviewing Shark Advocates Around the World

Conservationists that don’t stay up to date on the scientific research are likely to endorse ineffective policy solutions, but when scientists and conservationists work together, both groups benefit.

Meet the Global Conservation Decision-makers You’ve Never Heard Of

Held every four years, the World Conservation Congress’ meeting of the IUCN’s highest decision-making body is one of the most important conservation events you likely don’t know.

Walking Sharks: What a New Scientific Discovery Means—and What It Doesn’t Mean

Walking sharks are millions of years old, there's no reason to panic about the "new" ones recently discovered.

How Technology Is Making Shark News More Ridiculous

No, sharks aren’t coming into shallow water any more than usual—but now everyone at the beach has a camera.

More than Meets the Eye: Whale Shark Eyeballs Have Two Incredible Features

No, whale sharks' eyeballs are not covered in miniature teeth. Here's what the discovery of dermal denticles in a whale sharks eyes actually means.

What Is the IUCN Red List?

The IUCN Red List is a collection of the best available scientific data analyzed and summarized by an international team of experts—such an assessment is not an opinion and not a guess. But such an assessment does not carry the force of law, and IUCN Red List Endangered status doesn’t mean the same thing as being considered endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.