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photos of whitetip
reef sharks
To see more whitetip reef
shark pictures, click here
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Whitetip Reef Sharks feeding at night
photo (Triaenodon obesus) |
White tip Reef Shark underwater stock
photography. Galapagos Islands |
Reef whitetip shark and marble ray,
picture available for publication |
behavior photos of hunting Whitetip Reef Sharks,
Cocos Island, Pacific Ocean |
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common
name |
Whitetip
Reef Shark |
| scientific
name |
Triaenodon
obesus |
| range |
Tropical
Pacific and Indian Oceans, Red Sea |
viewing
hotspots |
Cocos
Island Costa Rica, Hawaii USA |
| habitat |
Coastal |
| size |
To
6 feet (2m) |
| diet |
Reef fish,
invertebrates |
| trivia |
Copulation
lasts 1.5 to 3 minutes; approx. 25 year life span |
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A regular on the tropical
coral reefs from the eastern Pacific westward through Asian waters
and across the Indian Ocean to Egypt’s Red Sea, the Whitetip Reef
Shark, Triaenodon obesus, is a small, slender species in the family
Carcharhinidae. Conspicuous white-tipped dorsal and caudal fin tips
and a blunt snout help in identification. It should not be confused
with the pelagic Oceanic Whitetip Shark.
During the day, it is often observed
resting on the bottom, and in caves or under ledges at depths of up
to 130 feet (40m). Generally it is shy around scuba divers, and not
considered dangerous unless molested. The whitetip reef shark is
most active at night, when groups can be observed patrolling the
reef, poking into coral crevices to feed on fish (eels, soldierfish,
snappers, etc.) and crustaceans. The shark’s rough denticle-clad
skin acts like body armor, protecting it from abrasions as it roots
about in the coral rubble. It is the only shark known to cause
ciguaterra food poisoning when consumed by humans.
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