Blacktip reef shark: Difference between revisions
Beastie Bot (talk | contribs) update syntax of status; trend=unknown |
GrahamBould (talk | contribs) m Case & tidy |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Taxobox |
{{Taxobox |
||
| color = pink |
| color = pink |
||
| name = Blacktip |
| name = Blacktip reef shark |
||
| status = LR/nt |
| status = LR/nt |
||
| trend = unknown |
| trend = unknown |
||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
| binomial_authority = ([[Jean René Constant Quoy|Quoy]] & [[Joseph Paul Gaimard|Gaimard]], [[1824]]) |
| binomial_authority = ([[Jean René Constant Quoy|Quoy]] & [[Joseph Paul Gaimard|Gaimard]], [[1824]]) |
||
}} |
}} |
||
The ''' |
The '''blacktip reef shark''' (''Carcharhinus melanopterus'') is a [[shark]] of tropical and warm temperate seas. It is often confused with the [[blacktip shark]], ''Carcharhinus limbatus''. |
||
==Distribution== |
==Distribution== |
||
One of the most common [[shark]]s found in shallow (sometimes as shallow as 30 cm) water around [[coral reef]]s of [[Indo-Pacific]] waters. The water they swim in is usually 20°-27° [[Celsius|C]] (70º-80º [[fahrenheit|F]]). Blacktip |
One of the most common [[shark]]s found in shallow (sometimes as shallow as 30 cm) water around [[coral reef]]s of [[Indo-Pacific]] waters. The water they swim in is usually 20°-27° [[Celsius|C]] (70º-80º [[fahrenheit|F]]). Blacktip reef sharks do not venture into tropical lakes and rivers far from the [[ocean]]. |
||
==Appearance== |
==Appearance== |
||
As its name suggests, the tips of the shark's pectoral |
As its name suggests, the tips of the shark's [[pectoral fin]]s and [[dorsal fin]] are black, with a white underside. However, their skin is a bluish-grey color on the top-half of their bodies. It has been recorded at up to 190 cm (6 [[Foot (unit of length)|ft]]) in length. Its snout is blunt and rounded. The [[gray reef shark]] looks similar, and is also common, but is distinguished by the gray top-half of its body and having no black tips. Blacktip reef sharks are not considered a real threat because they are usually small. |
||
==Diet== |
==Diet== |
||
A |
A blacktip reef shark's diet consists mainly of reef fish, but they will also feed on [[sturgeon]] and [[mullet (fish)|mullet]]. |
||
==Reproduction, behavior, and interaction with humans== |
==Reproduction, behavior, and interaction with humans== |
||
| Line 33: | Line 33: | ||
This species is not considered social, but can been seen in small groups. While generally shy, they often are curious about [[snorkeling|snorkeler]]s and [[scuba diving|scuba divers]]. As with most sharks, the body is bent into a sort of "S" shape when the shark feels threatened. Blacktip Reef Sharks are harmless unless provoked. Incidents generally involve hand feeding or [[spear fishing]], possibly in combination with low visibility. |
This species is not considered social, but can been seen in small groups. While generally shy, they often are curious about [[snorkeling|snorkeler]]s and [[scuba diving|scuba divers]]. As with most sharks, the body is bent into a sort of "S" shape when the shark feels threatened. Blacktip Reef Sharks are harmless unless provoked. Incidents generally involve hand feeding or [[spear fishing]], possibly in combination with low visibility. |
||
The blacktip is one of only a few sharks that can jump fully out of the water, this behaviour is called [[Whale_behaviour|breaching]], they have also been observed to stick their heads out of the water to look (spy-hopping). But if this is a behaviour |
The blacktip is one of only a few sharks that can jump fully out of the water, this behaviour is called [[Whale_behaviour|breaching]], they have also been observed to stick their heads out of the water to look (spy-hopping). But if this is a behaviour learned from long interaction with humans or something this species does naturally, is not known. |
||
[[image:Blacktip Reef Shark.jpg|thumb|right|Black tip reef shark]] |
[[image:Blacktip Reef Shark.jpg|thumb|right|Black tip reef shark]] |
||
==Population decline== |
==Population decline== |
||
Blacktip |
Blacktip reef sharks are often the [[bycatch]] from other fisheries and are often wasted. The blacktip populations are declining, and so are the population of many other [[shark]] species. These sharks are used for [[shark fin soup]], in which a shark's fin is cut off and the rest of the shark is thrown into the water to die. This is done by the thousands, which may be a big factor in why the population is declining. |
||
The numbers of |
The numbers of blacktip reef sharks have declined in recent years. |
||
==See also== |
==See also== |
||
Revision as of 09:31, 22 June 2006
| Blacktip reef shark | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | C. melanopterus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Carcharhinus melanopterus | |
The blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) is a shark of tropical and warm temperate seas. It is often confused with the blacktip shark, Carcharhinus limbatus.
Distribution
One of the most common sharks found in shallow (sometimes as shallow as 30 cm) water around coral reefs of Indo-Pacific waters. The water they swim in is usually 20°-27° C (70º-80º F). Blacktip reef sharks do not venture into tropical lakes and rivers far from the ocean.
Appearance
As its name suggests, the tips of the shark's pectoral fins and dorsal fin are black, with a white underside. However, their skin is a bluish-grey color on the top-half of their bodies. It has been recorded at up to 190 cm (6 ft) in length. Its snout is blunt and rounded. The gray reef shark looks similar, and is also common, but is distinguished by the gray top-half of its body and having no black tips. Blacktip reef sharks are not considered a real threat because they are usually small.
Diet
A blacktip reef shark's diet consists mainly of reef fish, but they will also feed on sturgeon and mullet.
Reproduction, behavior, and interaction with humans
Reproduction is viviparous, with 2-4 pups in a litter. Before giving birth, female blacktip reef sharks will incubate their young for 16 months. The shark's size at birth ranges from 33-52 cm.
This species is not considered social, but can been seen in small groups. While generally shy, they often are curious about snorkelers and scuba divers. As with most sharks, the body is bent into a sort of "S" shape when the shark feels threatened. Blacktip Reef Sharks are harmless unless provoked. Incidents generally involve hand feeding or spear fishing, possibly in combination with low visibility.
The blacktip is one of only a few sharks that can jump fully out of the water, this behaviour is called breaching, they have also been observed to stick their heads out of the water to look (spy-hopping). But if this is a behaviour learned from long interaction with humans or something this species does naturally, is not known.
Population decline
Blacktip reef sharks are often the bycatch from other fisheries and are often wasted. The blacktip populations are declining, and so are the population of many other shark species. These sharks are used for shark fin soup, in which a shark's fin is cut off and the rest of the shark is thrown into the water to die. This is done by the thousands, which may be a big factor in why the population is declining. The numbers of blacktip reef sharks have declined in recent years.
See also
References
- "Carcharhinus melanopterus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 23 January.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2005). "Carcharhinus melanopterus" in FishBase. 09 2005 version.
- Blacktip Reef Shark , Carcharhinus melanopterus at marinebio.org
- Template:IUCN