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Blacktip Reef Shark

Carcharhinus melanopterus

Quick Facts

Scientific name: Carcharhinus melanopterus
Class: Fish
Weight: About 40 pounds
Diet: Carnivore
Lifespan in the wild: 10 to 12 years
Lifespan in professional care: 20+ years
Conservation status: Near threatened
Number of offspring: 2 to 4 pups at a time

About

I LIVE IN AUSTRALIA

Blacktip reef sharks are often found in shallow coastlines and island waters in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. They can be found as far north as the Mediterranean Sea and as far south as Australia.


I AM A CARNIVORE

The blacktip reef shark prefers to eat various reef fish, but will also eat other oceanic animals such as crabs, lobsters, octopus, and mollusks.


BLACKTIP REEF SHARKS ARE SOCIAL

Blacktip reef sharks are a somewhat social species that take part in a few different group behaviors. Small groups of sharks will often band together to hunt down schools of fish, as well as grouping together to protect themselves against larger sharks.


CLOSE COUSINS

Although they are from the same shark family, there is a difference between blacktip sharks and blacktip reef sharks. With slight physical similarities, the blacktip reef shark is the smaller one of the two and prefers to live in more shallow waters amongst the reef.


Conservation

Learn more about our efforts, our conservation partners around the world, and the simple steps you can take to contribute.

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