Myers-Briggs test are used to define your personality type. They’re pretty popular in psychology, but most sites just use it to create what amounts to sort-of-scientific horoscopes.

Today, we’re no better. We’re using the 16 personality types to help you find your sort-of-scientific spirit animal. Or rather, letting you find out which shark represents your Myers-Briggs personality tup

The Greenland Shark (Somniosus Microcephalus) is a logistician, deal with it.

ISTJ – The Greenland Shark is a Logistician

Quiet and serious the Greenland shark is the perfect foil for the logistician personality. Living in cold Northern waters they are practical, long-termed workers. They take a slow, steady approach to life. They even slow their metabolisms allowing them to lead incredibly long lives.

Greenland sharks are the longest-lived vertebrate, with specimens over 500 years old having been uncovered. They are wise, dependable ISTJ types.

Although they may take things slow, they’re no pushovers. Greenland sharks can grow to almost 5 m and are bold enough to swim up to whales and take a bite. The wounds left by their bites are said to look as if made by an ice cream scoop.

Sand Tiger Sharks (Carcharias Taurus) – Courtesy of the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

ISFJ – Sand Tiger Sharks are Defenders

Loyal and conscientious, defenders are family-first personalities. The social behaviour of sand tiger sharks breaks many preconceived notions about sharks. Far from solitary animals, they are known to form families over their lives. They spend their lives with groups of sharks of varying ages and genders.

As introverts, they still value their time alone and will alternate between hunting alone and spending time with their “family.” However, they always remain loyal to their group and return to spend their life together.

You may have seen these ISFJ sharks in aquariums. They tend to be one of the more successful sharks in aquariums, perhaps due to their social nature. Although they have a fearsome appearance, they don’t tend to pose a threat to humans and people often dive with them.

Megamouth Shark (Megachasma Pelagios) | Photo Credit: Kotaro Ebara

INFJ – The Megamouth Shark is a Protector

The INFJ is the rarest personality type, making up about 1% of the population. The megamouth shark is suspected to be even rarer among shark species. To date, there have only been 99 specimens ever caught or sighted. They are the smallest of the three filter-feeding sharks.

As filter feeders, they are methodical and efficient hunters. Which matches the orderly and systematic approach of INFJs. They swim slowly, wasting little energy while feeding on plankton through their goofy, open mouths.

As an INFJ shark, the megamouth is instinctive and intuitive. Its range extends across the Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans and to depths of at least 200 m. Their migration patterns follow an apparent instinct for finding large quantities of plankton.

Port Jackson Sharks (Heterodontus Portusjacksoni) are found off Port Jackson. Probably a coincidence.

INTJ – The Port Jackson Shark is an Architect

Imaginative and strategic, the architect uses clever ideation to design effective goals. They see a problem and find a solution. The Port Jackson shark is a clever architect type. A good example of this is the structure of their eggs.

These INTJ sharks are egg layers. The challenge is it takes 10-12 months for these eggs to hatch. Until they hatch, they’re vulnerable to being swept off by currents or eaten by predators. So, Port Jackson sharks produce corkscrew-shaped eggs and wedge them into crevices. This clever design prevents the egg from being washed away or presenting an easy target to creatures looking for a quick meal.

They’re one of few sharks capable of pumping water through their gills (buccal pumping). So they can sit still and plan their next move.

Read more about Port Jackson Eggs in: Are Sharks Good Mothers?

The Carpenter Shark (Pristis Pristis), aka Sawfish, aka Awesomeface | Courtesy of National Aquarium

ISTP – Carpenter Sharks are Virtuosos

What better representative for the tool-centric virtuoso personality than a shark with a chainsaw for a face? Like ISTPs, carpenter sharks (aka sawfish) are quiet, analytical observers. Sharks have electroreceptor capabilities using a sensing organ known as the ampullae of Lorenzini.

All along the underside of their “saws” Carpenter sharks have pores for these electroreceptors. They use this to analyze the area around them and detect their prey. This practical problem solving makes them efficient, logical hunters.

Carpenter sharks are more closely related to rays than sharks. But they are still part of the same Chondrichthyes order (sharks, skates, rays, and chimeras). Although they are not considered a threat to humans, they’re called sawfish for a reason. Those “saws” are sharp, so caution should be used if interacting or untangling from fishing line.

The Great Hammerhead (Sphyrna Mokarran) and it’s great hammer-like head | Petra Oberucova

ISFP – The Great Hammerhead is an Adventurer

The adventurer is an artistic personality type. What better shark to represent the artsy ISFPs than a shark with the soul of a dancer. Great hammerheads are known for their habit of dancing together. This “dance” involves circling, shaking, and twisting. Scientists are unsure if this dance is for mating, communication, or just a way of playing.

Great hammerheads are also ISFJs for their preference to avoid conflict. Despite their size, they are gentle animals with only 17 unprovoked bites ever recorded – all non-fatal. They like to do things their own way with their unique appearance and habit of swimming sideways.

The great hammerhead is the largest of 9 species of hammerhead shark. Although they dance together they are normally solitary, introverted sharks. This is unlike smooth hammerheads, who congregate in groups of hundreds or even thousands.

Look at this big stripey beaut’ of a Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo Cuvier), we’ll call him Hobbes | Daniel Botelho

INFP – Tiger Sharks are Mediators

INFPs are curious and opportunistic. Tiger sharks share similar traits to the mediator type. They’re opportunistic feeds who will try just about anything once. While most sharks are picky eaters, tigers are sometimes known as the “trash cans of the sea.”

License plates, porcupines, and even a full chicken coop (complete with chickens) – all sorts of things have been found in their stomachs. They seek out new possibilities and are adaptable.

Although they will generally give space, they are aggressive if threatened. They are amazing animals, but caution should be used when diving with them. Tiger sharks have a higher percentage of unprovoked attacks than other sharks.

Dwarf Lantern Shark (Etmopterus Perryi): Good things come in bioluminescent packages.

INTP – The Dwarf Lantern Shark is a Logician

Innovation defines the logician personality. INTPs work in abstract problem solving to adapt to innovation. Few sharks demonstrate this trait so well as the dwarf lantern shark. Merely surviving in a deep-sea environment takes extreme adaptations, but lantern sharks take it a step further.

Like many other deep-sea fish, they have bioluminescent organs to attract prey. But that’s not the limit of how dwarf lantern sharks use their lighting. It’s more than a lure, it’s also a defence mechanism. They use bioluminescence both as camouflage and as a deterrent when predators are around.

These solitary sharks create light patterns, making their bodies look sharp and pointy. So anything that goes to eat them will think twice. After all, who wants a mouthful of knives? In actuality, these little sharks are safe to handle, although interactions are uncommon.

There are 4 species of Thresher Shark, above is the Pelagic Thresher (Alopias Pelagicus) | Douglas Seiffert

For another bioluminescent shark, check out the newly discovered pocket shark (Mollisquama mississippiensis)

ESTP – Thresher Sharks are Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneur personas act energetically to solve immediate challenges. The thresher shark hunting style displays this characteristic. Unlike most sharks, they are warm-blooded. This makes them energetic and helps make them powerful swimmers. But they don’t rely on speed alone to catch their prey.

They make the most of any advantage. Their long, whiplike tails aren’t just for aesthetics. Thresher sharks “slap” fish, stunning them by cavitation. The tip of the tail moves so fast that it lowers the pressure of the water around it. This releases a huge amount of energy, boiling the water and stunning nearby fish. It’s the same process pistol shrimp use to “shoot” their prey.

As ESTP sharks, threshers learn best by hands-on learning. They become better hunters over time, and large adults become difficult to catch. Unfortunately, they still get caught by unsustainable longline and driftnet fishing practices.

The White Tip Reef Shark (Triaenodon Obesus), pictured here with white frosted tips (no relation to Guy Fieri).

ESFP – The White Tip Reef Shark is an Entertainer

The white tip reef shark is the life of the party. They enjoy their status as the most social shark, making them a great fit as the entertainer type. They are sharing and outgoing, with no evident signs of being territorial. They’re sometimes mistaken for logs as white tips are often seen all laying side by side.

This ESFP shark is a bit of a show-off with it’s slow, wavy swimming pattern. Big fans of the nightlife, they all go out together to hunt when the sun goes down. They’re almost always found around coral reefs.

The white tip reef shark is happy to share the party. Curious animals, they often swim over to inspect divers rather than getting spooked by their arrival.

A Lemon Shark (Negaprion Brevirostris) & his BFF4EAE

ENFP – Lemon Sharks are Campaigners

Lemon sharks are the golden retrievers of the shark world. They’re enthusiastic, energetic, and are known for their “Disney-esque” smile. Their demeanour makes them a dead-ringer for the Campaigner persona. They are social fish, and one of the few types of sharks that are known to play.

Their social behaviour shows a warmth not often seen amongst cold-blooded animals. Lemon sharks not only play together, they also have best friends. So far, scientists have been unable to find any biological advantage to hunting with a select group. They simply seem to enjoy each others company.

As well as other sharks, divers often interact with these animals. They can be easily entered into a state of tonic immobility where they remain completely still as if hypnotized, for up to 15 minutes. This can make them easy to study in the water. You’ve likely seen pictures of divers balancing them on their nose, or flipped over for a belly rub.

“You have to register at the front desk,” Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma Cirratum)| Photo Credit: Bimini Shark Lab

ENTP – Nurse Sharks are Debaters

ENTPs are sometimes referred to as extroverted couch potatoes, which isn’t a bad way to sum up nurse sharks. Nurses spend their days resting together, lazing about in groups of up to 40 sharks.

Although they aren’t quick to act, these ENTP sharks are creative and resourceful. While resting they prop themselves on their pectoral fins. This creates a false shelter for crustaceans. When creatures use this “shelter,” the nurse shark slurps them up. They even “walk” around on their pectoral fins.

Although they are natural extroverts, nurse sharks are still fairly isolated. They don’t interact too much with each other, despite their proximity, and at night, they hunt alone. However, by day they return to their group to hang out and snack away. They are truly the Netflix and Chill of the shark world.

Too Fast Too Curious, the Shortfin Mako (Isurus Oxyrinchus)

ESTJ – The Shortfin Mako is an Executive

ESTJs are fact-based and knowledgeable. Their intelligence is well represented by the shortfin mako shark. Makos have the highest brain:body ratio of any shark. They are direct and don’t use overly complex solutions.

As ESTJ sharks, the shortfin mako doesn’t rely on intelligence alone. They are hard workers. As endothermic animals, makos are more active than cold-blooded species. Even among the few warm-blooded sharks, makos stand apart. The shortfin mako is the fastest shark alive, with bursts up to 68 km/h (42 mph). This speed comes from a mix of design, warm-bloodedness, and sheer effort.

Although independently driven, the ESTJ mako shark still has extrovert qualities. They are often observed travelling in groups. However, shortfin makos only stay in same-sex groups – with the exception of mating season.

A straight up classic looking shark. Plus, look at all those gills! The Broadnose Sevengill (Notorynchus Cepedianus) | Courtesy of the Monterey Bay Aquarium

ESFJ – Broadnose Sevengill Sharks are Consuls

Recognizable by their broad nose and seven gills, the Notorynchus Cepedianus fits nicely into the ESFJ persona. Although they are not as well-known as great whites or hammerheads, the broadnose sevengill shark is still popular. This is due to their frequent sightings and suitability for aquariums.

AS ESFJ sharks, the broadnose sevengill is extroverted and cooperative. They readily share territory with others of their species. They even hunt together in packs when taking on larger prey. However, they can be dangerous to each other, sometimes engaging in cannibalism.

They value stability and like to be in control of their environment. The broadnose sevengill shark is the dominant apex predator in their own habitat. They are also prone to philopatry – staying in the same location. This preference for stability makes them capable of thriving in captivity. But it also puts them at risk of habitat destruction in the wild.

Energetic and opportunistic the broadnose is active day and night using speed, stealth, or cooperation to capture prey.

Deep breaths buddy. The Great White Shark (Epic) | L. Sharp

ENFJ – The Great White Shark is a Protagonist

Was there any doubt? There’s no other shark quite so fit to be the protagonist. Great whites are iconic, they’re the very essence of sharkyness. Curious and intelligent, these massive beauties have strong personalities, much like their ENFJ counterparts.

With their starring roles in movies and being the focal points of Shark Week, it’s hard to deny that great white sharks possess natural charisma. Whether through fear, fascination, or the sheer beauty of these misunderstood creatures, these sharks have inspired scientists, artists, and shark lovers around the world.

These ENFJ sharks stay true to their persona, always being a force of good in this world. Predators, especially apex predators, play an essential role in shaping and balancing their ecosystem. Sharks are one of the most important creatures in maintaining our oceans and the resources it provides. With their wide range and dominant status, no shark better fits this role better than the great white.

Ayyyy, how you doin’? The Cookiecutter Shark (Isistius brasiliensis) knows what’s up | Smithsonian

ENTJ – Cookiecutter Sharks are Commanders

Don’t be fooled by their unassuming name, cookiecutter sharks are totally metal. In fact, their original name was the Demon Whale-Biter shark. One of the main reasons for their status as ENTJ is their ability to rise to a challenge.

Although the cookiecutter shark is small, it preys on everything in its environment. Small, medium, or large.

Small prey, like squid, they can swallow whole. For prey larger than themselves, they simply swim up to and take bites out of – even whales and large sharks. These ENTJ sharks are bold and up for any challenge.

They are social creatures, often found swimming in schools. While ENTJs are sometimes considered manipulative, cookiecutter sharks also use seemingly underhanded tactics like stealth and subterfuge to catch their prey. Regardless of their tactics, the demon whale-biter shark is certainly effective. It’s a successful predator that achieves its goals.