Reef Shark
Scientific name: Carcharhinus melanopterus
Habitat: Near coral reefs
Diet: Small Fishes, Crabs and Lobsters, reef fish, squid, cephalopods and shrimp
Predators: Bigger Sharks, Killer whales and Octopus
Rank in food chain: Consumer
Type of water it lives in: Saltwater
Size: 1/2 mtrs
Relatives: White tip reef shark and grey reef sharks
Reef sharks inhabit tropical waters and lagoons near coral reefs. They are found in Indo-Pacific waters and the Caribbean. Like all sharks, reef sharks are efficient predators. They are at the apex of their food chains and are therefore an important indicator species for marine ecosystems as a whole.
Reproduction All reef sharks are viviparous - they give birth to live pups, with an average of 1-5 pups per litter. Gestation periods can be longer than 1 year, and the pups do not reach maturity until at least the age of 5.
What are the main threats to Reef sharks?
Slow reproduction rates and a limited habitat makes reef sharks particularly vulnerable to both commercial and artisanal fishing. They are often caught as by catch and discarded, making a true assessment of population status difficult.
Watch a video of Reef Shark Here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejguPpeVK-k
Reef sharks inhabit tropical waters and lagoons near coral reefs. They are found in Indo-Pacific waters and the Caribbean. Like all sharks, reef sharks are efficient predators. They are at the apex of their food chains and are therefore an important indicator species for marine ecosystems as a whole.
Reproduction All reef sharks are viviparous - they give birth to live pups, with an average of 1-5 pups per litter. Gestation periods can be longer than 1 year, and the pups do not reach maturity until at least the age of 5.
What are the main threats to Reef sharks?
Slow reproduction rates and a limited habitat makes reef sharks particularly vulnerable to both commercial and artisanal fishing. They are often caught as by catch and discarded, making a true assessment of population status difficult.
Watch a video of Reef Shark Here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejguPpeVK-k
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