Blacktip Reef Shark
This shark is named for the black tips on its dorsal and caudal (tail) fins. It’s found mainly in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, usually around coral reefs.
Class: Chondrichthyes
Order: Carcharhiniformes
Family: Carcharhinidae
Genus: Carcharhinus
Species: C. melanopterus
Common Names: Blacktip Reef Shark, Black-finned Shark, Guliman, Blacktip Shark
The blacktip reef shark inhabits coral reef areas in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, and is one of the most common sharks in the region, along with the grey reef shark and whitetip reef shark. They mostly swim alone or in small aggregations, though sometimes large groups have been observed. They prefer shallow waters, close to shore. They have been observed swimming in brackish water.
Their diet consists of fish, squid, octopus, crustaceans and sometimes even sea snakes. Though they are often the top predator in their environment, the blacktip reef shark is itself sometimes eaten by larger fish such as grey reef sharks, tiger sharks, or large groupers.
Blacktip reef sharks are viviparous, meaning the babies develop inside the body of the mother and are born live. The pregnancy lasts somewhere between 7 and 11 months, depending on the region, though in certain regions it may last as long as 16 months.
The blacktip reef shark is built like many sharks, with a streamlined body and triangular fins. Its snout is rounded and short. Its main feature are the black markings on the tips of its fins, particularly prominent on its dorsal fin, the underside of its pectoral fins, and along the edge of its tail fin.
Blacktip reef sharks grow up to six and a half feet in length, though most are closer to five feet long.
Like many sharks in the family Carcharhinidae and the genus Carcharhinus, the exact classification of the blacktip reef shark remains difficult to determine. The relationship between the species in this genus are not well understood, and some scientists believe that species such as the nervous shark (C. cautus) may in fact be the same species as the blacktip reef shark.
The species name "melanopterus" means "black wing" and refers to the shark's namesake black fin tips.
Blacktip reef sharks are considered a Vulnerable species. It is sometimes caught in fisheries where it lives, and its meat, fins and liver oil are sold, though it’s not a specifically targeted commercial fish. Overfishing threatens its population, especially when combined with its low birth rate.
Blacktip reef sharks are not usually considered especially dangerous to humans, due to their tendency to be more scared of humans than the other way around. However, their habit of swimming close to shore makes them more likely than other sharks to encounter humans. While they have been known to attack swimmers and waders, the attacks are usually not serious, and usually are the result of a shark mistaking a foot or leg of a wader for its usual prey.
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blacktip_reef_shark
https://aqua.org/explore/animals/blacktip-reef-shark
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