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| Whitetip reef shark | |
|---|---|
| |
| Conservation status | |
| Template:StatusNearConcern | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Order: | Carchariniformes |
| Family: | Carcharhinidae |
| Genus: | Triaenodon Müller & Henle, 1837 |
| Species: | T. obesus |
| Binomial name | |
| Triaenodon obesus (Rüppell, 1837) | |
The Whitetip Reef Shark (Triaenodon obesus) is a shark of tropical and warm temperate seas
Distribution
The whitetip reef shark is one of the most common sharks found in shallow water around coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific. It occurs at depths of up to 330 meters.
Appearance
As its name suggests, the tips of the shark's first dorsal fin and upper caudal fin are white. The upper body is grey/brownish. Average length is about 140 to 160 cm, max reported length 244 cm. Its head is broad and flat.
Behaviour
This bottom dwelling shark is nocturnal and is typically seen resting on the bottom during the day, often in small groups. It is not aggressive and will generally swim away from if disturbed, although it may bite if harassed. At night it hunts among crevices in the reef for crustaceans, octopuses and fishes.
Reproduction
Reproduction is viviparous, with 1-5 pups in a litter, the gestation period is at least 5 months. The shark's size at birth ranges from 50-60 cm. It is estimated that this shark can live for about 25 years and it reaches maturity after about 5 years.
See also
References
- "Triaenodon obesus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 23 January.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Triaenodon obesus". FishBase. October 2005 version.
External links
- ARKive - images and movies of the whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus)
- MarineBio: Whitetip Reef shark, Trianodon obesus