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The shark species "Silvertip shark"

Photo
Silvertip shark
Silvertip shark
Photo © BluePlanetArchive.com

Photo © BluePlanetArchive.com

Range Map
North America South America Africa Australia Europe Asia Coming soon Coming soon
North America South America Africa Australia Europe Asia Coming soon Coming soon
Silvertip shark

Rough area of distribution

Taxonomy
Kingdom:
Animals (Animalia)
Phylum:
Vertebrates (Chordata)
Class:
Cartilagenous fishes (Chondrichthyes)
Order:
Ground sharks (Carcharhiniformes)
Family:
Requiem sharks (Carcharhinidae)
Genus:
Carcharhinus
Names
Scientific:
Carcharhinus albimarginatus
English:
Silvertip shark , Silvertip whaler
German:
Silberspitzenhai
French:
Requin pointe blanche
Spanish:
Tiburón de puntas blancas
Appearance
A typical requiem shark. Fairly slender. Long rounded snout. First dorsal fin moderately large with a pointed apex, and originates over or slightly anterior to the pectoral fins" rear tips. Origin of second dorsal fin is over or slightly behind the anal fin"s origin. Large, semifalcate pectoral fins. Interdorsal ridge present. With precaudal pit.
Coloration
Dark grey upper. White ventral surface. Conspicuous white tips and posterior margins on all fins.
Distribution
Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Chagos Archipelago. Maledives. Western Pacific: Indonesia. Central Pacific: New Caledonia, Taiwan, Philippines, Palau, Marshall Islands, Tahiti. Eastern Pacific: Southern Baja California, Clipperton, Cocos Islands, Galapagos.
Biology
Common to abundant over the continental shelves and slopes, from the surface down to about 800 m. Found inshore (lagoons) and offshore. Young silvertips are restricted to shallower water close to shore.
Diet
Feeds mainly on a variety of fishes.
Size
Average size between 200 cm to 250 cm, maximum total length about 300 cm.
Reproduction
Viviparous, with yolksac-placenta. 1 to 11 pups per litter, normally 5 to 6. Gestation period lasts about 12 months. Size at birth about 65 cm. Males and females reach sexual maturity with about 160 cm.
Similar Species
Unmistakable white color pattern.
Vulnerability
Category: Vulnerable (VU)
Criteria: A2bd
Last evaluated: 2024
Trend: Decreasing




© IUCN Red List 2024. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Version 2024-2.

Danger to Humans
Potentially dangerous.

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