grey reef shark grey reef shark species requiem shark family common reef sharks found far east far west south_africa species seen shallow water near drop offs coral reefs grey reef shark typical reef shark shape broad round snout large eyes species distinguished similar species plain white tipped dorsal fin dark tips fins broad black rear margin tail fin lack ridge dorsal fins individuals long grey reef sharks fast swimming predators feed primarily free swimming bony fishes cephalopods aggressive demeanor enables dominate shark species reef despite moderate size grey reef sharks home range specific area reef continually return social territorial day sharks form groups individuals near coral reef drop offs splitting evening sharks begin hunt adult females form groups shallow water higher water temperature accelerate growth young like members family grey reef shark viviparous meaning mother embryos connection litters pups born year grey reef sharks shark species known perform threat display stereotypical behavior warning prepared attack display involves posture dropped pectoral fins exaggerated swimming motion grey reef sharks followed divers indicate perceive threat species responsible number attacks humans treated caution especially begin display caught fisheries susceptible local population low reproduction rate limited dispersal result assessed species taxonomy phylogeny dutch described grey reef shark scientific journal later authors moved species genus type specimen metres female common names shark world include black bronze shark graceful shark graceful shark grey shark grey shark shark school shark shark names applied species older literature scientific species given reef shark native western indian_ocean regarded species grey reef shark authors originally distinguished grey reef shark white tip dorsal fin shorter snout fewer upper tooth row based morphological characters counts tooth shapes concluded grey reef shark closely related shark interpretation supported phylogenetic analysis description grey reef shark streamlined moderately stout body long blunt snout large round eyes upper lower jaws teeth usually upper lower upper teeth triangular teeth narrower erect tooth larger upper jaw lower dorsal fin medium sized ridge running second dorsal fin pectoral fins narrow shaped coloration grey bronze white entire rear margin caudal fin distinctive broad black band black tips pectoral pelvic second dorsal anal fins individuals western indian_ocean narrow white margin tip dorsal fin trait usually absent pacific populations grey reef sharks spend time shallow water eventually color grey reef sharks long maximum reported length maximum reported weight distribution habitat grey reef shark native indian pacific oceans indian_ocean occurs south_africa india including madagascar nearby islands red_sea pacific_ocean found southern china northern australia new_zealand including philippines indonesia species reported numerous pacific islands including guam generally coastal shallow water species grey reef sharks found depths known dive found continental shelves preferring away direction current sides coral reefs clear water rugged topography frequently found near drop offs outer edges reef particularly near reef channels strong currents commonly occasion shark venture kilometers open ocean usually near outer slopes reef channels strong currents near outer edges reefs biology ecology reef shark reef shark grey reef shark common sharks inhabiting reefs actively expel shark species favored habitats species larger size areas species exists reef shark species occupies shallow flats stays deeper water areas high abundance grey reef sharks tend contain sharks vice versa similar causing competitive exclusion occasions swim oceanic waters grey reef sharks associate marine mammals large fishes account grey reef sharks following large pod silky sharks single shark rainbow runners observed grey reef sharks sharks rough skin parasites grey reef sharks prey larger sharks shark french great feed grey reef sharks exhausted pursuing mates known parasites species include species attach sharks skin juvenile stages attach gill gill feeding grey reef sharks feed mainly bony fishes cephalopods squid octopus second important food group crustaceans crabs making remainder larger sharks greater proportion cephalopods sharks hunt individually groups known pin schools fish outer walls coral reefs feeding capturing fish swimming open complement hunting reef sharks adept capturing fish inside caves sense smell extremely acute capable detecting extract billion parts sea water presence large quantity food grey reef sharks feeding documented caused underwater explosion killed sharks involved attacked consumed life history mating male grey reef shark bite female body fins hold like requiem sharks viviparous developing embryos exhaust supply yolk yolk sac develops connection term female single functional right functional pups hawaii born year number young increases female size estimates gestation period range months thought place july august march july females term embryos reported fall measure long sexual maturation occurs seven years age males long females long females great barrier reef mature years age later locations slightly larger size lifespan years behavior grey reef sharks active times day activity levels peaking night groups sharks spend day small collective home range night shallower water forage food home range km2 grey reef sharks different parts reef exhibit different social ranging behaviors sharks outer ocean reefs tend nomadic swimming long distances reef reefs underwater stay defined daytime night time home ranges strong tidal currents grey reef sharks water shore tide sea rising tide allow better detect scent prey afford cover water hunt little evidence grey reef shark individuals tolerate species entering feeding home ranges hawaii individuals stay reef years regularly shift locations individual grey reef sharks highly aggressive specific locations suggesting exhibit dominant behavior sharks home areas social documented grey reef sharks northwestern large numbers pregnant adult females observed slowly swimming circles shallow water occasionally exposing dorsal fins backs groups corresponding peak daylight hours similarly females form shallow water march june number sharks group differs year year day sharks begin arriving area reaching peak numbers hottest day afternoon individual sharks return site days female sharks speculated taking advantage warmer water speed growth embryos shallow waters enable avoid unwanted attention males grey reef sharks exhibit different social behaviors different parts reef sharks tend solitary shallower reefs near reef drop offs loose sharks form morning grow number day night level areas sharks form schools swimming direction individuals near sea arranging parallel slowly swimming circles individuals schools females formation schools relate mating threat display threat display grey reef shark pronounced known display display directed competitors threats shark investigations behavior focused reaction sharks approaching divers culminated attacks display consists shark raising snout dropping pectoral fins curving body holding posture shark stiff exaggerated motion combined rolls loops intensity display increases shark closely approached obstacles blocking escape routes landmarks sharks shark retreat launch rapid open attack upper teeth observed displays grey reef sharks response approaching following meters perform display instance larger great subsequently withdrew seen performing threat displays suggests display primarily response potential threats predators competitors grey reef sharks territorial speculated defending critical volume personal space compared sharks french grey reef sharks indian_ocean western pacific aggressive given displaying human interactions grey reef sharks curious divers enter water approach closely lose interest repeat dangerous presence food tend aggressive encountered open water reef known attacks possibly mistake shark struck fish close species attack pursued divers immediately retreat slowly facing shark begins perform threat display display attempted flash camera known attack modest size capable inflicting significant damage study threat display grey reef shark attacked researchers multiple times leaving tooth marks plastic windows biting propellers shark consistently launched attacks distance able cover second listed seven provoked attacks fatal species abundant island relatively sites grey reef sharks susceptible localized slow reproductive rate specific habitat requirements tendency stay certain area iucn assessed grey reef shark shark taken fisheries parts range products shark fin soup threat continuing degradation coral reefs human development evidence substantial declines populations anderson reported grey reef shark numbers fallen 1970s levels found grey reef shark populations great barrier reef fishing zones declined compared entry zones boats allowed addition zones boats allowed fishing prohibited levels fishing zones illustrating severe effect projections suggested shark population fall pre exploitation levels years additional conservation measures possible avenue conservation grey reef sharks suitable shark watching ventures profitable diving sites enjoy protection countries
Grey reef shark