shark shark large species requiem shark family fragmented distribution tropical indian pacific oceans species encountered offshore islands coral reefs known dive depth shark resembles larger grey reef shark easily identified prominent white margins fins maximum length aggressive powerful apex predator shark feeds wide variety bony fishes eagle rays smaller sharks cephalopods species dominates requiem sharks equal size competing food larger individuals heavily conflicts species members family shark viviparous females giving birth pups summer sharks regarded potentially dangerous humans approach divers closely slow species taken commercial fisheries meat fins skin jaws teeth apparently led local population declines result assessed taxonomy phylogeny shark originally described german naturalist des fishes red sea later changed currently valid specific epithet derived latin meaning white meaning border reference distinct white fin margins immature male caught red_sea designated type specimen based similarities morphology tooth shape characters proposed grey reef shark closest relative shark interpretation based data distribution habitat shark widely continuously distributed tropical indian western indian_ocean species occurs red_sea south_africa including madagascar mauritius western pacific known southern japan northern australia including taiwan philippines indonesia guam eastern pacific occurs southern baja california colombia including presence gulf_of_mexico caribbean_sea unconfirmed sharks found continental shelves depth occupying levels water column common isolated islands coral banks reef drop offs juveniles frequent coastal adults occur deeper water little overlap age groups description shark robust streamlined species moderately long broad snout large round eyes pairs gill slits short tooth rows jaws small teeth middle jaws upper teeth broad oblique triangular coarse near base lower teeth erect fine dorsal fin large triangular originating slightly forward free pectoral fin tips ridge second dorsal fins pectoral fins longer requiem sharks like shape pointed tips coloration blue gray bronze white subtle white band sides distinctive white tips borders fins sharks grow long typically measure length maximum reported weight females larger males biology ecology sharks mobile exhibit fidelity certain areas reports territorial behavior usually encountered pairs small groups adult females seen deep water individual sharks behave aggressively heavily reported dominate sharks sharks equal size competing food shark forms mixed species grey reef sharks rainbow runners observed sharks sharks rough skin parasites follow marine mammals open water followed pilot fish like grey reef shark sharks perform stereotypical threat display pursued divers warning prepared attack display begins shark accelerating away distance turning charging perceived threat distance body lengths shark brakes turns broadside drops pectoral fins jaws posterior thirds body elements display unique species serve emphasize white fin markings shark rapidly close slash upper teeth feeding diet shark consists primarily bony fishes eagle rays smaller sharks octopus occasionally taken larger sharks tend sluggish benthic prey differently shaped upper lower jaws allows tackle large prey gripping flesh violent twists turns sharks observed swimming periphery groups feeding sharks species occasionally steal food species approaches ships attracted certain artificial low frequency sounds life history like requiem sharks shark viviparous embryos exhaust supply yolk depleted yolk sac develops connection mother delivers mating occur summer courtship involves male biting female hold female observed tip dorsal fin activity females bear litters usually young gestation period year cycle reported measure long different authors found shallower water adults growth rate highly variable wild reported juvenile sharks grow average body length year individuals growing body length year showing negative growth males reported sexually mature long females long human interactions bold especially presence food shark regarded potentially dangerous humans sharks rush deep water inspect divers enter water intimidating experience sharks approach close species known circle pursue divers experiment involving bait large shark tore leg dummy dressed gear demonstrating species capable inflicting lethal injuries listed provoked attacks species fatal shark caught commercial fisheries range intentionally fins highly valued shark fin soup sold export market skin meat marketed locally fresh dried jaws teeth sharks known taken fisheries indonesia philippines indian_ocean nations coral reef fisheries increasingly important catch fisheries sea species susceptible slow reproductive rate tendency stay certain area believed indonesian northern australia likely rare parts range result assessed shark noted approaching criteria vulnerable
Silvertip shark