caribbean reef shark caribbean reef shark species requiem shark belonging family found tropical waters western atlantic_ocean florida brazil commonly encountered reef shark caribbean_sea robust streamlined body typical requiem sharks species difficult tell apart large members family shark silky shark distinguishing characteristics include colored fins prominent markings short free rear tip second dorsal fin tooth shape number measuring long caribbean reef shark largest apex predators reef ecosystem feeding variety fishes cephalopods documented resting sea inside caves unusual behavior active swimming shark threatened perform threat display frequently changes direction pectoral fins like requiem sharks viviparous females giving birth young year caribbean reef sharks importance fisheries source meat leather liver oil recently valuable attraction bahamas bait attract groups divers controversial shark species responsible small number attacks humans shark attacks happen usually spring summer year taxonomy phylogeny caribbean reef shark originally described scientific journal type specimens individuals caught coast cuba genus later authors based morphological similarities grouped species shark shark placed sister species grey reef shark phylogenetic analysis based data published indicated caribbean reef shark sister taxon clade formed shark shark oceanic shark blue shark work required fully resolve distribution habitat caribbean reef shark occurs tropical western atlantic_ocean north_carolina north brazil south including bermuda northern gulf_of_mexico caribbean_sea extremely rare north florida keys prefers shallow waters coral reefs commonly found near drop offs reefs outer edges shark common water shallower known dive description heavy bodied shark typical streamlined shape caribbean reef shark difficult distinguish large requiem shark species usually measures long maximum recorded length maximum reported weight coloration dark gray gray brown white white yellow white band flanks fins prominently marked paired fins anal fin lower lobe caudal fin snout short broad rounded prominent flaps skin nostrils eyes large circular membranes protective tooth rows half jaws teeth broad bases edges narrow teeth erect increasingly oblique pairs gill slits moderately long gill origin pectoral fins dorsal fin high shaped low ridge running second dorsal fin relatively large short free rear tip origin dorsal fin lies slightly forward free rear tips pectoral fins second dorsal fin lies slightly forward anal fin pectoral fins long narrow tapering point dermal denticles closely spaced overlapping seven large individuals horizontal low ridges leading marginal teeth biology ecology despite abundance certain areas caribbean reef shark studied large requiem sharks believed play major role shaping caribbean reef communities sharks active night evidence seasonal changes activity migration juveniles tend remain localized area year adults range wider area caribbean reef sharks seen resting sea floor inside caves active shark species behavior reported investigated famed sleeping sharks inside caves determined sharks actually asleep eyes follow divers clark speculated freshwater inside caves parasites sharks produce enjoyable effect threatened caribbean reef sharks perform threat display swim short fashion frequent changes direction repeated brief second duration drops pectoral fins display pronounced better known display grey reef shark reef sharks preyed larger sharks tiger shark bull shark parasites known species dark seen trailing dorsal fin northern brazil juveniles seek cleaning stations occupied clean sharks parasites lie horse eye bar routinely school caribbean reef sharks feeding caribbean reef shark feeds wide variety reef dwelling bony fishes cephalopods eagle rays yellow attracted low frequency sounds indicative struggling fish observation long male caribbean reef shark hunting shark seemingly half hearted turns prey suddenly accelerating swinging head sideways capture corner jaws young sharks feed small fishes crabs caribbean reef sharks capable likely serves particles parasites stomach lining life history reproduction viviparous developing embryos exhaust supply yolk yolk sac develops connection receive mother mating apparently aggressive affair females found biting wounds sides archipelago das brazil takes place end dry season february april locations females birth amazon summer november december average litter size gestation period year females pregnant year measure long males mature sexually long females human interactions normally shy indifferent presence divers caribbean reef shark known aggressive presence food grows sufficiently large considered potentially dangerous lists attacks species fatal species taken commercial fisheries range valued meat leather liver oil caribbean reef shark common shark landed colombia accounting catch occurrence utilized fins oil jaws sold ornamental purposes belize species mainly caught hook line intended fins sold lucrative asian market meat sold belize mexico guatemala like dedicated shark fishery operated belize early 1990s catches species saw dramatic declines flesh species contain high levels heavy metals shark feeding profitable industry arisen species involving organized shark feeds groups reef sharks attracted divers bait spent annually shark viewing bahamas sites single living caribbean reef shark value compared time value dead shark practice drawn controversy opponents argue sharks learn associate humans food increasing chances shark attack removal reef fishes bait damage local ecosystem conversely proponents maintain shark feeds contribute conservation protection sharks people far little evidence shark feeds increased risk attack surrounding area shark feeding outlawed coast florida continues locations caribbean conservation assessed caribbean reef shark population declined belize cuba exploitation continues regions threatened degradation destruction coral reef habitat commercial fishing species prohibited united_states waters protected bahamas significance number brazil enforcement illegal fishing lacking reserves areas species abundant protected
Caribbean reef shark