reef shark confused shark reef shark species requiem shark family easily identified prominent black tips fins especially dorsal fin caudal fin abundant sharks inhabiting tropical coral reefs indian pacific oceans species prefers shallow waters exposed dorsal fin common sight region reef sharks found reef sandy flats known enter freshwater environments species typically length reef sharks extremely small home ranges exhibit strong site fidelity remaining local area years time active predators small bony fishes cephalopods crustaceans known feed sea snakes accounts reef shark life history variable contradictory reflecting geographical differences species like members family shark viviparous females giving birth young annual possibly cycle reports gestation period range possibly months mating preceded male following closely female likely attracted chemical signals newborn sharks found shallower water adults frequently large groups areas flooded high tide reef shark difficult approach seldom poses danger humans food people shallow water risk having legs mistakenly shark meat fins liver oil considered commercially significant species assessed reef shark species remains widespread relatively common slow shark led decline number taxonomy french originally described reef shark voyage corvette account published voyage sur les volume report voyage type specimen juvenile male caught island west new_guinea chose greek meaning black meaning fin wing reference shark prominent fin markings subsequent authors moved reef shark genus designated type species genus earlier literature scientific shark mistakenly given recognized synonym shark common names species include reef shark black shark shark reef shark phylogeny like members genus phylogenetic position reef shark remains based morphology proposed closest relative reef shark nervous shark morphological analysis suggested affinity species nervous shark species resolve relationships analysis yielded ambiguous results finding reef shark forms group species distribution habitat reef shark found waters tropical subtropical indian_ocean occurs south_africa red_sea including madagascar mauritius eastward coast southeast_asia including sri_lanka pacific_ocean found southern china philippines indonesia northern australia inhabits numerous oceanic islands including marshall gilbert society hawaiian islands contrary sources state confirmed records species japanese waters purported japanese specimens likely came taiwan shark eastern mediterranean_sea way suez_canal reported depth reef shark usually found water meters deep seen swimming close shore dorsal fin exposed younger sharks prefer shallow sandy flats older sharks common reef found near reef drop offs species reported lakes madagascar freshwater environments malaysia able tolerate low degree bull shark indian_ocean reef sharks channels reef flats low tide travel water rises evidence sharks northern southern extremes distribution migratory description built species streamlined typical shark form reef shark short wide rounded snout moderately large oval eyes skin expanded shaped lobe counting small central teeth tooth rows number usually upper jaw usually lower jaw upper teeth upright angled narrowly triangular shape bearing coarse bases lower teeth similar finely teeth adult males abruptly curved females pectoral fins large narrowly shaped tapering points sizable dorsal fin high curving rear margin originates free rear tips pectoral fins second dorsal fin relatively large short rear margin placed opposite anal fin ridge dorsal fins shark pale grayish brown white obvious white band sides extending forward anal fin fins black tips highlighted lighter colored borders especially striking dorsal fin lower caudal fin lobe reef sharks long rarely individuals reach possibly maximum weight record biology ecology grey reef shark reef shark reef shark common sharks inhabiting coral reefs species shallow habitats found deeper fast swimming active reef shark encountered small groups large social observed juvenile adult sharks segregated sex save movements pregnant females birth individuals exhibit strong fidelity particular areas remain years tracking study central pacific found reef shark home range km2 smallest shark species size location range change time day range area constitute favored hunting patches occupied resident shark sharks spend time swimming forth reef making occasional short sandy flats average swimming speed decreases tide rises night possibly influx cooler water reduces accompanying movement prey fishes makes foraging easier reef sharks tend mobile recorded individual movements hours reef sharks particularly small individuals fall prey larger fishes including grey reef sharks tiger sharks members species adults avoid patrolling tiger sharks staying central deeper known parasites include genus documented examples infectious disease shark fatal case reef shark caused feeding abundant apex predator ecosystem reef shark plays major role ecological communities diet composed primarily small fishes including groups reef sharks indian_ocean observed schools shore easier feeding squid octopus shrimp shrimp taken smaller sharks rays rare northern australia species known consume sea snakes including sharks documented chicks fallen nests water miscellaneous items found inside species include algae turtle grass coral rats stones researchers working found reef shark readily attracted striking metal tools hard objects underwater scent healthy injured fish sharks reef shark cone cells limiting ability colors fine details instead vision adapted sensitivity movement contrast low light conditions enhanced presence reflective experiments shown shark capable detecting small objects away unable clearly shape object means shark locate prey sensitivity approximately effective range similar grey reef shark species excited confident presence individuals species extreme situations feeding feeding activity greater night day life history like members family reef shark viviparous details life history vary range reproductive cycle annual northern australia mating taking place january february french mating occurs november march cycle intense competition species food females bearing young year earlier accounts indian_ocean johnson madagascar red_sea indicated cycle regions breeding seasons year june july december january accurate shorter reproductive cycles consequence warmer water receptive mating female reef shark slowly pattern near head pointed observations wild suggest female sharks release chemical signals allow males track male finds closes follows snout oriented vent male bite female gills pectoral fins mating wounds heal completely weeks period swimming male pushes female positions head tail raised female position male lasts minutes sharks separate resume regular behavior individual older females mate birth consistent time year week precision younger females exhibit timing younger females likely fail pregnant mating gestation period reported months long islands months long northern australia earlier authors estimated gestation period long months validity figure subsequently challenged female single functional right functional divided separate compartments embryo newly egg cases measure hatching embryos sustained yolk sac stage development months embryo measures long developed external gills months yolk sac begun converted connection wall time embryo dark fin markings develop months embryo measures external gills fully formed yolk remains seven months gestation occurs september november females making use shallow nursery areas interior reef newborn pups measure long indian_ocean northern australia free swimming pups small long observed pacific islands litter size typically female size young reef sharks commonly form large groups water barely deep cover bodies sand flats swamps close shore high tide flooded coral platforms beds growth initially rapid documented captive shark grew average year years life growth rate year juveniles adults males females mature sexually lengths respectively northern australia respectively males mature long human interactions circumstances reef shark demeanor easily frightened away swimmers habitat preferences bring frequent contact humans regarded potentially dangerous early attacks attacks total fatal listed reef shark attacks involve sharks biting legs feet apparently natural prey result injury native avoid reef shark attacks swimming shallow water way sharks body reef shark known aggressive presence bait pose threat attempting steal catches spear reef shark regular catch coastal fisheries operating thailand india targeted considered commercially important meat sold fresh frozen dried smoked human consumption liver oil fins assessed reef shark remains widespread common overall substantial local declines documented areas species low reproductive rate limiting capacity recovering reef sharks popular subjects public exhibits shark like appearance modest size attractions divers
Blacktip reef shark