WHITETIP REEF SHARK

 

Photograph copyrighted by Andy Murch all rights reserved.

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View all available Whitetip Reef Shark Pictures in the SHARKIVE

Common Names: Whitetip reef shark, Whitetip shark. 

Latin Name: Triaenodon obesus

Family: Carcharhinidae

Identification: Slender body. Dorsum grey to grey/brown sometimes with darker spots or blotches. Ventrum pale. Fins dusky. Dorsal and pelvic fins pointed. First dorsal and upper lobe of caudal fin tipped in white. Small barbells present on wide, flat snout.

Size: Maximum length 210cm. 56 cm at birth.  

Habitat: Coral and rocky reef flats / slopes and in lagoons. To 40m.

Abundance and distribution: Found through out the Indo Pacific and in the Eastern Pacific from Islas de Revillagigedo to Galapagos.

Behavior:  Rests under ledges, in caves, and in sand gutters between reefs during the day and hunts for reef fishes, crabs, lobsters, and octopus at night.

Reproduction: Viviparous. Litter size 1-5. Gestation period 13 months.

Observations:  Often seen resting in groups and sometimes seen hunting in large aggressive masses (see photograph on second page).

Photographs: Cocos Island.

Similar species: The whitetip reef shark is easily distinguished from other carcharhinids by its slender body and habits.

Reaction to divers: When encountered at rest generally lifts off the bottom and swims slowly away. May ignore divers completely if part of a hunting mob. Not considered dangerous unless speared fish are present at which point it may become aggressive.

Diving logistics: The whitetip is encountered on a very regular basis on many dives throughout the tropical Indo Pacific and is usually the most commonly seen shark. At Cocos Island whitetips are seen at night by divers in marauding packs breaking up the reef to get at hidden fish and other prey. The Undersea Hunter runs shark diving expeditions to Cocos throughout the year. 

Other diving locations submitted by readers: 

References and further reading:  

     Reef Sharks and Rays of the World. Scott W. Michael. Sea Challengers.

     Sharks and Rays - Elasmobranch Guide of the World. Ralf M. Hennemann. IKAN.

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