Species: Carcharhinus longimanus
English Name: Oceanic Whitetip Shark
Chinese Name: 污斑白眼鲛
Family: Carcharhinidae
Description:
The Oceanic Whitetip Shark has a huge rounded 1st dorsal fin, and long, wide-tipped pectoral fins with bluntly rounded snout and upper triangular teeth. The back of this shark is usually dark grey with a bronze tinge, sometimes brown or bluish, the lower lobe of caudal is often white or white spots, and ventral lobe of caudal often with black spots. Can grow up to a length of 400cm for male and female. Lives in the oceanic deep-water and sometimes comes close to shore. Feeds on oceanic bony fishes, also threadfins, stingrays, sea turtles, sea birds, gastropods, squid, crustaceans, mammalian carrion and garbage. Commercialized for human use.
© 2008 Markus Diver
© 2008 Markus Diver
© 2012 Jürgen Donauer
Photos used under a Creative Commons license
References:
– Compagno, L.J.V., 1984. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 4. Sharks of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Part 2 – Carcharhiniformes. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(4/2):251-655. Rome: FAO.