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Blacktip Reef Shark

CARCHARHINUS MELANOPTERUS

Quick Facts

Scientific name: Carcharhinus melanopterus
Class: Fish
Length: Up to 6 feet (1.8 meters)
Weight: up to 100 pounds (45 kilograms)
Life span: 12 years
Age of maturity: Based on size; 3 feet (90 centimeters)
Number of offspring: 2 to 4 at a time
Gestation: 8 to 16 months
Conservation status: Stable

About

Not very deep

Blacktip reef sharks live in mainly shallow waters, especially in coral reefs and shallow lagoons of the Indian Ocean and Central Pacific Ocean. At the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, you can find blacktip reef sharks in the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium. 70% of the shark’s brain is devoted to their sense of smell.


Something’s fishy

Blacktip reef sharks’ diet consists of fish, squid, octopus, and crustaceans. These sharks rarely attack humans.


Where’s the Blacktip?

The shark’s sleek body is light brown or grey on top and white underneath. Black tips on the fins give these sharks their name. They have a round nose, oval eyes, and long, serrated teeth.


A busy fish

Blacktip reef sharks are active both during the day and at night. These timid sharks are powerful swimmers. They are not aggressive, and they usually swim alone or in small groups. Blacktip reef sharks follow the tide in and out, searching for food.

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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