reef shark reef shark species requiem shark family member genus small shark usually exceeding length species easily recognizable slender body short broad head tubular skin flaps nostrils oval eyes vertical pupils white tipped dorsal caudal fins common sharks found coral reefs reef shark occurs far east south_africa far west central_america typically found near clear water depth day reef sharks spend time resting inside caves unlike requiem sharks rely ram ventilation constantly swim breathe shark pump water gills lie night reef sharks emerge hunt bony fishes crustaceans octopus groups bodies allowing force way holes extract hidden prey individuals stay particular area reef months years time returning shelter species viviparous developing embryos sustained connection mother sharks mating observed wild receptive female reef sharks followed prospective males attempt grasp pectoral fin maneuver positions suitable females birth pups year gestation period months reef sharks rarely aggressive humans investigate swimmers closely spear risk attempting steal catch species caught food poisoning resulting consumption reported iucn assessed reef shark noting numbers increasing levels fishing activity range slow reproductive rate limited habitat preferences species renders populations vulnerable taxonomy phylogeny reef shark described german naturalist des fishes red sea choice specific epithet curious given shark actually slender later moved species genus greek meaning meaning tooth originally designate long specimen caught saudi_arabia species common names shark include shark light tip shark reef shark shark placed family reef shark recognized authors belonging family basis morphological characters membrane developed pit strong lower caudal fin lobe like morphological molecular phylogenetic analyses suggest reef shark grouped lemon sharks shark occupying intermediate position evolutionary tree basal genera derived distribution habitat reef shark distributed widely entire thought existed atlantic_ocean based fossil teeth found north_carolina dating recent research indicates teeth belonged shark species atlantic indian_ocean occurs northern south_africa red_sea indian including madagascar mauritius sri_lanka western central pacific occurs southern china taiwan philippines southeast_asia indonesia northern australia found numerous islands far hawaii north southeast eastern pacific occurs costa_rica panama associated exclusively coral reef habitats reef sharks encountered coral heads high vertical relief additionally sandy flats near drop offs deeper water prefer clear water rarely swim far species common depth occasion enter water deep exceptional record reef shark captured depth description relatively small species reef sharks longer maximum length species given originally based visual observations dubious maximum reported weight reef shark slim body short broad head snout flattened blunt large flaps skin tubes eyes small oval vertical pupils prominent ridges followed small notch mouth distinct downward slant expression shark short furrows corners tooth rows upper jaw tooth rows lower jaw tooth single narrow smooth edged center flanked pair smaller dorsal fin positioned body closer pelvic pectoral fins second dorsal anal fins large half quarters high dorsal fin broad triangular pectoral fins originate slightly level fifth gill ridge second dorsal fins lower lobe caudal fin half length upper strong notch near tip dermal denticles small overlapping usually horizontal ridges giving skin smooth feel coloration grayish brownish white pattern scattered small dark spots unique individual tips dorsal fin upper caudal fin lobe second dorsal fin lower caudal fin lobe bright white biology ecology reef shark common sharks inhabiting reefs reef shark grey reef shark habitat preferences species overlap tend frequent shallow water like reef shark outer reef like grey reef shark reef shark strong body unlike requiem sharks lie actively pump water gills species active night tide spends day resting inside caves singly small groups arranged parallel stacked atop hawaii sharks found inside underwater lava tubes costa_rica seen lying open sandy flats reef sharks generally remain highly localized area rarely undertake long movements wandering settling new study found sharks examined moved away original capture location periods year study french found years originally tagged sharks present reef captured individual shark rest inside cave months years daytime home range reef shark limited approximately km2 night range increases km2 sharks territorial share home ranges species perform threat displays important predators reef shark include tiger sharks sharks possibly sharks usually occur depths greater favored reef sharks long reef shark found stomach giant unlikely significant predators species rarity known parasites reef shark include parasitic larvae resting day sharks observed cleaned unusually report seven reef sharks adopting cleaning posture mouth gills midst non cleaning mechanical moving thought evoked behavior similarity actual cleaner organisms feeding slender body reef shark narrow holes reef prey inaccessible reef sharks alternatively clumsy attempting food suspended open water species feeds mainly bony fishes including octopus crabs reef shark highly responsive acoustic electrical cues given potential prey visual system movement contrast object details especially sensitive natural artificial low frequency sounds range evoke struggling fish reef sharks hunt primarily night fishes asleep easily taken dusk groups sharks reef breaking pieces coral vigorous pursuit prey multiple sharks target prey item covering exit route particular coral head shark hunts competition group unlike reef sharks grey reef sharks reef sharks excited feeding groups unlikely stirred feeding despite nocturnal habits reef sharks hunt daytime borneo species reef drop offs feed food brought rising current hawaii follow hawaiian monk seals attempt steal catches reef shark survive weeks food life history like members family reef shark viviparous developing embryos exhaust supply yolk yolk sac converted connection mother delivers remainder gestation mature females single functional left functional reproductive cycle mating initiated males follow closely female bite fins body possibly indicating female readiness male attempts seize female pectoral fins times males grasp female sides simultaneously engaged sharks sink male males forward associated sac abdominal organ takes flush sperm female attempts contact female vent cases female pressing belly tail reflect mate choice male limited time achieve holding female pectoral fin mouth deprived oxygen hand female willing pair heads pressed bodies upward angle gestation period months females birth litters usually pups number offspring female size female produces estimated average pups entire lifetime occurs august autumn winter french july summer october summer australia females birth swimming making violent twists turns bodies takes hour fully emerge measure long relatively longer caudal fins adults shark develops slowly compared requiem sharks grow rate year adults grow rate year sexual maturity reached length age years mature males small long recorded suggesting regional variation maturation size great barrier reef males live years females years maximum lifespan shark upwards years reef shark produced single possibly means centre hungary previous instances reproduction sharks reported shark human interactions unlike oceanic cousin white tip reef shark harmless seldom aggressive provoked fearless curious reef sharks approach swimmers closely investigate sharks readily attempt steal catches spear resulted people process places local reef sharks learned associate sound discharge boat dropping anchor food respond seconds lists provoked attacks species reef sharks suited diving conditioning hand fed divers hawaiian mythology fidelity loyalty reef sharks certain areas reef years time inspired belief spirits family ancestors animal form protect descendants reef shark taken fisheries operating pakistan india sri_lanka madagascar likely meat liver eaten sharks certain areas present substantial risk poisoning especially liver contains higher concentration meat assessed species numbers dropped recent decades increasing far fishing pressure tropics restricted habitat low dispersal slow reproduction factors limit shark capacity recovering great barrier reef populations reef sharks fishing zones reduced relative entry zones furthermore populations zones boats allowed fishing prohibited exhibit levels comparable fishing zones demographic models indicate depleted populations continue decline year additional conservation measures
Whitetip reef shark