Whitetip Reef Shark

Sep 14, 2012

Created on Day 5

The whitetip reef shark is a nocturnal creature.

Whitetip Reef Shark

Design

The whitetip reef shark is a nocturnal creature. Because of this feature, this shark relies heavily on its keen eyesight. Its eyes are large and oval, which help the shark see well in dim light. It also uses its strong chemosensory and electroreceptor systems to help it locate prey in the dark. These features were not used by the original created kind to hunt prey, but became useful hunting tools once animals began to hunt other animals after the Fall of man.

Features

  • The distinguishing feature of this shark is the white coloring on the tip of its fins.
  • Its belly is white and the rest of its body is gray-brown.
  • It has a blunt snout

Fun Facts

  • The tough skin of the whitetip reef shark is perfect for its coral habitat.
  • This shark can remain motionless on the seafloor because it has the ability to pump water over its gills without moving.
  • This shark has been observed at a depth of 400 ft (122 m) from a submersible.
  • A whitetip reef shark often returns to its favorite resting site at the same time each day, often for several years.

CLASS: Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish—sharks, skates, and rays)
ORDER: Carcharhiniformes (ground sharks)
FAMILY: Carcharhinidae (requiem sharks)
GENUS/SPECIES: Triaenodon obesus

Size: Average 5.5 ft (1.7 m)
Weight: Average 44 lbs (20 kg)
Depth: Most common between 26–130 ft (8–40 m)
Diet: Fish, crustaceans, octopuses
Habitat: Shallow, tropical waters around the coral reefs in the Indian and Pacific Oceans

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