Blacktip Reef Shark
The Carcharhinus melanopterus, by Emilyn Belcher
Blacktip Reef shark-information
- family-Carcharhinidae
- order-Carcharhiniformes
The Black tip Reef shark is found in the eastern Mediterranean, Indopacific region. Also located throughout Australia and found off of the southwest coast of Hawaii. Younger sharks usually stay in clear, shallow, and warm water and the adult sharks are usually found in deeper over reef drops.
How to Identify a Black-tip Reef Shark
As you can imagine, they are mainly known for the black tips that they sport on the tips of their fins, including their well-known dorsal fin(s), pectoral fins, caudal fin, and pelvic fin. Their caudal fin, though, is mostly just outlined with black, also helping them stand out and be easily noticed.
The size of the sharks vary from 0.91m-1.12m, which is roughly 36 to 44 inches. Comparatively, that is about the size (height/length) of a toddler or a pre-schooler (about 3-4 ft). These sharks are hunted for their beautiful fins, when they're hardly the size of child and not as threatening as they look.
Photos of the Black-tip Reef Shark
Things to Know about the Black-tip Reef Shark
Birth & Eating Habits
Did You Know?
Resources
"Carcharhinus Melanopterus." :: Florida Museum of Natural History. Web. 17 May 2016. <https://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/discover/species-profiles/carcharhinus-melanopterus>.
"The Blacktip Reef Is A Beautiful Species Of Shark - Shark Sider." Welcome To SharkSidercom. Web. 17 May 2016. <http://www.sharksider.com/blacktip-reef-shark/>.
"Blacktip Reef Shark Video." ARKive. Web. 17 May 2016. <http://www.arkive.org/blacktip-reef-shark/carcharhinus-melanopterus/video-00.html>.