Whitetip reef shark
Triaenodon obesus
- Not on exhibit
- Animal type
- Sharks & rays
- Ecosystem
- Coral reefs
- Relatives
- Galapagos, bull, oceanic whitetip, tiger, blue sharks; Family: Carcarhinidae (requiem sharks)
- Diet
- Octopuses, spiny lobsters, crabs; also may eat bony fishes, including eels and reef fishes
- Range
- Wide range of distribution in Indo-Pacific, Central Pacific and Eastern Pacific and off Central America; usually in shallow areas close to shore or near coral reefs
- Size
- Rarely over 5.25 feet (1.6 m)
Meet the whitetip reef shark
This easily identified shark earns its common name from the distinct white tips on its dorsal and upper tail fins. A long, slender body allows it to maneuver through crevices and caves in its coral reef habitats.
Coral has hard, rough surfaces, but this shark actively pursues prey by wriggling through openings in the reefs. Divers sometimes hear whitetips scraping against the coral, but tough skin and protective eye ridges save the sharks from injury. Its body is dark gray to brownish and usually covered with small, dark spots.
Conservation
The whitetip reef population isn't in danger, but this shark lives in shallow water in a restricted habitat where fisheries can catch it easily using gill nets and longlines. Additionally, this shark matures late and has small litters. With increased fishing pressures, this species may become threatened.
Cool facts
- The whitetip reef shark forages at night and spend its days resting in reef caves. It's not territorial—many sharks crowd into a cave, usually stacking themselves atop each other. The whitetip usually returns to the same cave or crevice every day, sometimes for years. It has a small home range of several square miles where it may stay for months or years.
- The whitetip reef shark isn't a dangerous shark; it swims away when swimmers or divers approach.
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